Sheltering Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
Shelters provide a vital lifeline and a safe space for survivors of domestic violence, especially when they have nowhere or no one to turn to. But it’s more than simply providing a physical location. With a recently launched pilot programme by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development together with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department, fourteen mosques across KL will be used as transit centres for domestic violence survivors, and this is announced just days before the capital city is thrust into a third MCO. With Sumitra Visvanathan, Executive Director of the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), we discuss why this move is important, what it takes to run a domestic violence shelter, and whether MCO 3.0 could once again see a rise in cases of domestic violence. --- If you are a survivor of domestic violence or know of anyone who needs help, you can call Talian Kasih at 15999, the WAO Hotline at 03 3000 8858 (24 hours) or SMS/WhatsApp TINA at +6018 988 8058 (24 hours). Image source: Shutterstock