THE ‘Penang Safe Family Policy’, which was recently introduced by the state government, would be implemented at the state agencies and local government offices first, says Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for Non- Islamic Religious Affairs and Social Development.
Chong Eng said the support service, called the ‘First Support Point’ to facilitate victims of domestic violence, would be available at the state agencies and local government which already have a client-counter at their departments.
“With the implementation of this policy, the state government hopes to play a role in transforming the mindset of the community and create awareness on how we, being an individual, can be instrumental in saving a victim’s life.
“Later on, it will also be implemented at the state assemblymen’s service centres, religious bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), social movements and other parties at the grassroots level.
“We need to send out a strong message to everyone that the state government will not tolerate domestic violence,’’ said Chong Eng during her speech at the opening ceremony of the Penang Safe Family workshop held at Hotel Jen today.
A total of 68 representatives from the State Economic Planning Unit, all five district offices, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) participated in the one-day workshop which was facilitated by the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC).
On top of that, the Penang Safe Family Policy will also be implemented at the relevant federal agencies.
Chong Eng added that based on the statistics given by the police, a total of 343 cases involving domestic violence were reported in the year 2019.
“During the movement control order (MCO), there were 33 cases pertaining to domestic violence reported in which 26% of them involved men.
“I believe that the number of cases (domestic violence) could be more than what had been reported because due to stigma, people do not bring the matter to the limelight.
“Now with the establishment of a ‘First Support Point’ service counter, the civil servants would be acting as the frontliners to assist them (victims), as this issue is no more seen as an ‘individual problem’.
“It can only be resolved through the collaboration between government and social organisations,’’ said Chong Eng, adding that subsequent training sessions would be done with different groups.
Apart from that, Chong Eng said upon implementing the programme (First Support Point), it would be evaluated of its effectiveness after about six months as well as to make any improvements.
“I have also suggested to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman to set counters at mosques and suraus. Religious bodies such as the Hindu Sangam, Christian association and Buddhist association have also given their support,’’ added Chong Eng.
Also present were Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, Penang Social Welfare Department senior assistant director Haslinda Abd Samad, state Economic Planning Unit chief assistant secretary Nazrulizam Kamaruddin and manager of WCC Seberang and Pusat Perkhidmatan Wanita Ooi Say Tee.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis