PETALING JAYA: The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) is seeking to amend the definition of the Domestic Violence Act (1994) to include psychological and emotional abuse.

Its executive director Ivy Josiah said non-physical abuse came in a multitude of forms and was hard to detect as there was no physical injury on the victim.

"Expanding the act will recognised the problem and better protect women from abuse," she told a press conference at the WAO headquarters here Friday.

She said among 125 victims seeking shelter with the organisation, 85 women or 96.6% had gone through psychological abuse from their partners, husband or family members.

She added that 88 women or 70% had sought shelter as a result of domestic violence followed by 20 women or 16% of cases involving single and pregnant women.

"There has been a dramatic increase in single and pregnant women cases from six in 2009 to 20 last year. We provide them shelter and support, regardless of their race or religion.

"We also provide victims with programmes to improve their social skills and enhance awareness for better health as well as empowerment sessions aimed at enabling survivors of violence take control of their lives," she said.

Meanwhile, Yayasan Sime Darby governing council member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman has extended financial support of RM720,000 for two years to enable WAO to help more women and their children who take shelter at the centre.

WAO, an independent, non-religious, non-governmental organisation committed to confronting violence against women, was established in 1982.

• Public Invest Research ups Uzma target price to RM2.86
• Malaysia's blue chips fall more than 6pts in early trade
• Profit taking may weigh on Malaysian equities
• HP raises 2013 outlook as Whitman's plan takes hold
• Bernanke says more progress needed before stimulus pullback
• Wall Street falters in volatile session on Fed worries
• Aeon director: GST won’t affect group
• Petronas Chemicals Group to invest RM3bil in capital expenditure
• Weak CPO prices hit Boustead profit
• April CPI up 1.7% on higher food prices
• Report: AirAsia X sets indicative price for IPO
• MAEI sees 3%-4% rise in electrical, electronics exports
• Cahaya Mata Sarawak to invest in grinding plant
• Star to leverage on new, fast-growing businesses
• No plans for MBO, says Vincent Lee

• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack

• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
• Harrison makes swift U-turn

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• What comes after WYY?
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
• Asean flavour in Invest M’sia confab
• We have to be humane to all who are put under arrest
• We must look at language as an asset
• Prime Minister to address global women conference
• Petronas Chemicals Group to invest RM3bil in capital expenditure
• Report: AirAsia X sets indicative price for IPO
• Lower net profit for AirAsia