Domestic violence and abuse in Malaysia have shown a worrying upward trend throughout the years, despite the presence of legal protections for victims. This literature review examines the factors driving this increase from the victim’s perspective, focusing on barriers that discourage reporting and access to legal protection. Using a thematic method, the study draws from academic research, PDRM statistics, ministerial reports, and findings from NGOs. The literature indicates that women remain the primary victims, often constrained by limited awareness of their rights, cultural expectations, emotional dependence, and financial insecurity. These factors collectively hinder victims from seeking help or pursuing protection under existing laws. Structural challenges such as inadequate institutional support and enforcement gaps further exacerbate the issue. The study calls for more victim centred policies, improved legal awareness, and stronger institutional responses to prevent and reduce domestic violence. Addressing these barriers is crucial to protecting victims, promoting justice, and breaking the cycle of abuse. This research also contributes to the achievement of (SDG) 5 and (SDG) 16.

KEYWORDS
Keywords: Abuse, domestic violence, Malaysia, victim’s perspective, woman.

Abdul Ghani, M., Husin, S., & Mohamad, A. (2017). Isu Keganasan Rumahtangga: Keberkesanan Perkhidmatan Kaunseling Berdasarkan Perspektif Klien Wanita Mangsa Penderaan. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 14(2).

Abdul Razak Abd Manaf, A., Zarina Mat Saad, Z., Siti Zubaidah Othman, S., Annuar Aswan Mohd Noor, A., & Faridah Awang, F. (2022). Keganasan Rumah Tangga dan Isu Kewangan: Perspektif Pengamal. International Journal of Social Policy and Society 18(1): 71–86.

Akta Keganasan Rumah Tangga 1994, Undang-Undang Malaysia, (Akta 521).

Akta Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 1984 (Akta 303).

Ayob, N., Bakar, N.A.B.A. & Mahmud, K.M.F. (2023). Perbezaan di Antara Pendapatan Isi Rumah dan Fenomena Keganasan Rumah Tangga di Malaysia. Jurnal Akademi Sains 17(2): 86–94.​

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Fugate, M., Landis, L., Riordan, K., Naureckas, S., & Engel, B. (2005). Barriers to Domestic Violence Help Seeking: Implications For Intervention. Violence Against Women 11(3): 290–310.

Hoe, T. E. (2014, June 20). Usm News Portal – 9% Of Women Suffer from Domestic Violence. News.usm.my. https://news.usm.my/index. php/english-news/1954-9-of-women-suffer-from-domestic-violence

Institute for Public Health (IPH). (2023). Technical Report National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022: Maternal and Child Health, Malaysia.

Kamaruddin, Z., & Abdullah, R. (2008). Protecting Muslim women against abuse of polygamy in Malaysia: Legal perspective. Hawwa: International Journal on Gender Issues in the Islamic World, 6(2), 176–201.

Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat (KPWKM). (2023). Garis Panduan Pengendalian Kes Keganasan Rumah Tangga: Edisi Kedua. Putrajaya: Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat.​

Le, L. J., Xin, L. H., Ganeson, T., & Mohamad, S. N. A. binti S. N. (2024). Domestic Violence in Malaysia During Post-Covid-19 Era: Any Legal Solution. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(6), 1593–1619.

Nur Saadah Mohamad Aun, & Nur Shuhada Mohd Mustaffarizan. (2018). Pengetahuan mahasiswa tentang perundangan dalam keganasan rumah tangga. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar, 21(1), 37–42.

Othman Lebar. (2009). Penyelidikan kualitatif: Pengenalan kepada teori dan metode. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Ova. (2023, June 20). NHMS Survey: Almost Half a Million Women in Malaysia Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence. https://ova.galencentre.org/nhms-survey-almost-half-a-million-women-in-malaysia-have-experienced-intimate-partner-violence/

Ova. (2024, December 5). PDRM Recorded 30,228 Cases of Domestic Violence From 2020 to September 2024. https://ova.galencentre.org /pdrm-recorded-30228-cases-of-domestic-violence-from-2020-to-september-2024/

Kadir Shahar, H., Jafri, F., Mohd Zukefli, N. A,. & Ahmad, N. (2020). Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence in Malaysia and its Associated Factors: A Systematic Review. BMC Public Health 20(1): 1550.​

Shuib, R., Endut, N., Ali, S. H., Osman, I., Abdullah, S., Oon, S. W., Ghani, P. A., Prabakaran, G., Hussin, N. S., & Shahrudin, S. S. H.. (2013). Domestic violence and women’s well‑being in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges Conducting A National Study Using The WHO Multi‑Country Questionnaire. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 91: 475–488.​

The Star. (2024 Mac 4). Domestic Violence Cases Surge To Record High In 2024, Ministry Reports. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/ nation/2025/03/04/domestic-violence-cases-surge-to-record-high-in-2024-ministry-reports

Walker, L.E. (1984). The Battered Woman Syndrome. Springer.​ Publishing Company.  

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO). (2025 Jun 16). Statistics of Domestic Violence in Malaysia. https://wao.org.my/domestic-violence-statis tics/

Women’s Centre for Change (WCC). (2023). Domestic Violence: Laws in Malaysia. https://www.wccpenang.org/dom estic-violence-laws-in-malaysia/ [31Disember 2025].

Zakaria, M. R., & Mohd Yunus, Y. (2025). Keganasan Rumah Tangga: Pencegahan Dan Penyelesaian Dalam Kerangka Syariah. Jurnal Al-Sirat, 25(1), 111-120.