Puteri Umno sets up SMS hotline for abuse victims
PETALING JAYA: Victims of incest and domestic violence who are afraid to come forward can now seek counselling and help through a short messaging service (SMS) hotline set up by Puteri Umno’s public complaints bureau.
Bureau chairman Rohaina Abdul Latiff said the service provided another avenue for the victims to report abuse and seek assistance.
“Incest victims, especially children or teenagers, may have difficulty in expressing themselves when they face such situations. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed to speak up or fear being punished.
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Puteri umno public complaints bureau chairman Rohaina Abdul Latiff (right),bureau manager Nashua Fauzun Shahril (centre) is Rohaina's personal assistant Wan Norhayati Wan Mahmood showing off a banner promoting the bureau and its services. |
Rohaina said the service, which had been in operation since April, had been receiving good response with 15 to 16 messages a day.
“Not all the messages received were from incest or domestic violence victims as we also received messages from youth who needed other types of advice,” she added.
She said it was not easy to coax victims to reveal the identity of the perpetrators but the counsellors were trained to be persistent.
“We have to treat them like friends and avoid applying pressure on them. We do not question them like the authorities do but instead provide a listening ear.
“This way, they are encouraged to come out of their shell,” she said.
She said the victims usually took a few days before they revealed their identity and agreed to lodge a police report if the case was severe.
She added that the counsellors were trained to screen messages or calls to prevent pranksters from abusing the service.
Rohaina said at times the mothers of the victims also contacted the bureau through SMS for guidance or legal advice.
“The bureau also gives counselling to these victims to help them lead a normal life after facing the disturbing experience,” she said, adding that education was necessary as the victims might perceive incest or other heinous crimes as normal practices.
She said the service would be officially launched on Friday in Kuala Lumpur Plaza, adding that several counters would be open to provide medical and legal advice.
For further information, contact the bureau at 03-4023 9394 or use the SMS service at 019-634 9941.
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