How to Report Domestic Violence in Malaysia (Step-by-Step Guide)

Leaving a dangerous situation — or taking the first step to report one — is genuinely hard. If you are reading this because you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you are already doing something important: looking for information.

This guide walks you through every step, from ensuring your immediate safety to getting legal protection and support.

Note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 right now.

Emergency Numbers — Keep These Accessible

| Service | Number | |---|---| | Police (Emergency) | 999 | | Talian Kasih (24hr crisis line) | 15999 | | Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) | 03-7956 3488 | | WAO TINA (SMS/WhatsApp) | 018-988 8058 | | AWAM (All Women's Action Society) | 03-7877 0224 | | Befrienders KL (crisis support) | 03-7627 2929 |

What the Law Covers

The Domestic Violence Act 1994 (DVA 1994) is the primary legislation protecting victims of domestic violence in Malaysia. It covers abuse by a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, or family member (including in-laws, parents, and adult children).

The DVA 1994 definition of domestic violence is broad. It includes:

Physical abuse — hitting, kicking, restraining, using weapons
Sexual abuse — marital rape and coerced sexual acts
Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, intimidation, humiliation, harassment
Causing a child to witness domestic violence (treated as violence against the child)
Property damage intended to cause fear

You do not need to have visible injuries to qualify. Emotional and psychological abuse are expressly covered.

Step 1: Ensure Your Immediate Safety

Your physical safety comes before any reporting process.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 now. Police have a duty to respond to domestic violence calls. You do not need to decide in advance whether you will press charges — getting to safety is the priority.

If you are not in immediate danger but need to leave:

Pack an emergency bag if you can do so safely: identity card (MyKad), passport, children's birth certificates, bank cards, phone, medication, and any evidence of abuse
Call Talian Kasih on 15999 for crisis counselling and referrals to shelter
Contact WAO on 03-7956 3488 for shelter placement (WAO operates a safe house)

If you cannot leave safely right now:

Save emergency contacts in your phone under an inconspicuous name
Identify a trusted neighbour or relative who knows your situation and can call for help
Know the location of the nearest police station

Step 2: Document the Evidence

Evidence is what turns a domestic violence experience into a provable legal case. Document as much as you can, as soon as it is safe to do so.

What to document:

Photographs: Take clear photos of injuries as soon as possible after the incident. Include timestamp metadata (most phone cameras record this automatically). Photograph damaged property too.
Medical records: Any hospital or clinic visit related to your injuries creates a medical record. Ask the doctor or nurse to note in writing that the injuries are consistent with the account you have given. This is official documentation.
Text messages and call logs: Screenshot threatening, abusive, or incriminating messages. Back them up to cloud storage or email them to yourself.
Witness statements: If neighbours, family members, or friends witnessed incidents, note their names and contact details.
Voice or video recordings: These may be admissible as evidence. Check with a lawyer on admissibility if you intend to rely on them in court.
A written record: Keep a private diary (physical or digital, away from the abuser's access) recording dates, times, descriptions of incidents, and any witnesses.

You do not need all of these to make a police report. Report first if you are in danger — collect additional evidence afterwards when it is safe.

Step 3: Make a Police Report

Go to any police station (Balai Polis) to make a report. You can also be taken by police if they respond to a 999 call at your home.

What to bring:

Your MyKad (identity card)
Any evidence you have (photos, screenshots, medical letters)
Details of the incident(s): dates, locations, what happened

What happens at the station:

A police officer will record your report (called a "First Information Report" or FIR)
You will be asked to give a written statement
If you have injuries, the officer should refer you to a hospital for a medical examination
You will receive a copy of the police report (keep this — it is an important document)

Your rights at the police station:

You have the right to be interviewed by a female officer if you prefer (request this)
You have the right to have a support person (friend, family, NGO representative) present
You do not have to decide immediately whether you want to proceed with criminal charges

If the police officer refuses to take your report: This is not lawful. Ask for the officer's name and identification number. You can escalate to the officer in charge at the station, or contact SUHAKAM (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) at 03-2612 5600 to make a complaint.

Step 4: Get a Medical Examination

If you have not already done so, go to a hospital or clinic for a medical examination as soon as possible after an incident.

At a government hospital (Hospital Kerajaan), ask to see the Medical Social Worker or a doctor in the Emergency Department. Tell them you are a domestic violence victim. They are trained to handle this.

The doctor will:

Examine and treat your injuries
Document findings in a medical report
Issue a Medical Report that can be used as evidence in court

Request a copy of the medical report for your own records. There may be a small fee for the report.

Step 5: Apply for a Protection Order

A Protection Order is a court order that legally prohibits the abuser from contacting, approaching, or harming you. It can also exclude them from the family home.

Malaysia's DVA 1994 provides for two types of protection order:

Interim Protection Order (IPO)

An IPO is an emergency order that can be issued within 24 hours by a Magistrate, without the abuser being present. It is available immediately after a police report is made.

The police officer handling your case should apply for an IPO on your behalf. If they do not, ask them to do so — this is part of the standard procedure under the DVA 1994 (section 4).

An IPO is temporary but takes effect immediately. It typically remains in force until the full Protection Order hearing.

Protection Order (PPO)

A Permanent Protection Order is issued after a court hearing at which both parties have an opportunity to appear. It can last for up to 12 months and is renewable.

The PPO can include conditions such as:

Prohibiting the abuser from being in the vicinity of your home, workplace, or children's school
Requiring the abuser to hand over weapons
Ordering the abuser to vacate the shared home

Breach of a protection order is a criminal offence under the DVA 1994 and can result in a fine or imprisonment.

For a more detailed guide on the protection order process, see How to Get a Protection Order in Malaysia.

Step 6: Seek Shelter If Needed

If it is not safe for you to remain at home, several organisations in Malaysia operate safe houses and crisis shelters.

National and NGO shelters:

WAO Safe House (Kuala Lumpur): Contact WAO on 03-7956 3488. Operates a safe house for women and children.
Women's Centre for Change (Penang): 04-228 0342
AWAM (KL): 03-7877 0224

Government shelters: State Social Welfare Departments (JKM) operate shelters in every state. Talian Kasih (15999) can provide referrals to the shelter nearest you.

Shelters provide accommodation, meals, counselling, and assistance with legal processes. Children may stay with you.

Step 7: Get Legal Representation

Having a lawyer is not mandatory for the domestic violence reporting or protection order process, but legal advice will significantly strengthen your position for any subsequent proceedings (such as divorce, custody, or a criminal prosecution against the abuser).

Free legal aid options:

Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan (YBGK): Legal aid for those who qualify financially. Present at major courts.
Bar Council Malaysia Legal Aid Centres: Located in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Income-tested.
Women's Aid Organisation (WAO): Provides legal advice and court accompaniment for domestic violence survivors.
AWAM and SIS: Can provide referrals to sympathetic lawyers and pro bono support.

For a full guide to free legal aid in Malaysia, see Free Legal Aid: Bantuan Guaman Percuma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to press criminal charges to get a protection order?

No. A protection order under the DVA 1994 is a civil remedy and is separate from criminal prosecution. You can apply for a protection order without pursuing a criminal case, and vice versa.

What if I want to withdraw my police report?

Once a report is made, the decision to prosecute rests with the police and Attorney General's Chambers, not solely with you. In practice, withdrawal is possible for civil protection order proceedings, but criminal proceedings may continue even if you withdraw. Seek legal advice before making this decision.

Can men report domestic violence in Malaysia?

Yes. The DVA 1994 applies to all persons regardless of gender. Men who are victims of domestic violence by a spouse or family member may also make a police report and apply for a protection order.

What if the abuser is a family member I still live with?

You can still make a report and apply for a protection order. A PPO can include a condition requiring the abuser to vacate the home, even if they are a co-owner or co-tenant. Your safety takes legal priority in DVA proceedings.

What happens to my children if I leave?

Leaving a dangerous situation with your children is not legally problematic, and courts in Malaysia recognise domestic violence as a factor in custody decisions. If the abuser later applies for custody, the court must consider the history of violence. Document the abuse and seek legal advice on custody as early as possible.