From as early as April 2020, Malaysia saw a spike in the number of domestic violence cases, which followed the implementation of the first Movement Control Order (MCO), in March that same year. The trend has sadly continued - despite lockdowns ending, hotlines such as the one run by the Women's Aid Organisation, are still receiving a high number of calls for help and advice from people facing gender-based violence, such as sexual violence, harassment, rape and more. We speak to Charlene Murray, Services Director, Women’s Aid Organization (WAO), Malaysia to find out more.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can contact WAO at the WAO Hotline: +603 3000 8858 or via SMS/WhatsApp TINA: +6018 988 8058. Read about other options for help here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

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Categories:  Law/Activism

Tags:  Charlene Murray,  shadow pandemic,  domestic violence,  gender-based violence,  women's aid organisation,  wao,  covid-19,  sexual violence,  abuse,  violence against women,