KUCHING: The Helpline for State Women and Family Department (JKWS) is launched yesterday as a facilitator channel to help in getting advisor service, counsellings and law procedure from the right agency. Present to launch the helpline at State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Comp l e x ha l l wa s Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg accompanied by Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah.
The Helpline is a continuation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) book publication in dealing with the domestic violence against women and children and also to widen the fast, efficient and accurate intra agency campaign.
According t o the Roy a l Malaysian Police (PDRM) stat ist ic on domest ic violence in Sarawak, 2013 recorded a total of 238 cases, 2014 with 358 cases, 2015 with 279 cases, 2016 with 427 cases, and from Jan to Jul 2017, 323 cases were recorded.
The Helpline also aimed to help women that need counseling service, emotional support and to know the procedure regarding abuse case, divorce case, child custody and others. With number, 082-448866, the He lpl ine wi l l ope ra t e from 8am to 5pm. In the near future, the helpline will be made to toll free and operate for 24 hours.
The Helpline will be assisted by Counsellor from Sarawak Women for Women Societ y (SWWS), Women’s Affairs Bureau (HELWA)/HIKMAH, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Women’s Organisation for Change (WOC). Meanwhile, at the same time Johari also visited booths prepared by Ministry of Welfare, C ommunity Well being, Women, Family and Childhood Development.
The booths will available from Nov 9 until 17, to share information to visitors, especially the Assemblymen about the function, role and services of the ministry as well as departments under the ministry such as JKWS and State Social Welfare Department (JWKS). It also will display the history of the ministry’s establishment and structure, children development, family and women, economic empowerment, welfare aid as well as social support services.
