KLANG July 16: Awareness programmes on the role of One Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC) will be extended to all levels, especially to rural areas in Selangor.
Executive Councillor for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Rodziah Ismail, said that the move is to ensure that rural communities are aware that there are centres and acts that protect victims of domestic violence.
In addition, it is also an effort to strengthen its role as a one-stop service centre that aims to ensure that victims’ problems can be reduced.
The OSCC provides protection and provides a safe and comfortable environment to victims of domestic violence, abuse and also rape cases.
She added that although this centre has been in operation for three years, she is still not satisfied with the level of awareness from rural and urban communities.
“Sometimes, they (victims) do not know that there are laws that can protect them and which enable them to bring the offender to court. So we want to provide them with knowledge about this matter,” she told reporters after officiating the centre briefing for the Klang district here at the Klang District/Land Office.
Commenting further on the matter, Rodziah said that the State Government will ensure that matters in relation to the role of the centres will be implemented at the village, mosque, religious places and Women Empowerment Centres throughout Selangor.
“Before that, we will guide leaders such as village chiefs so that they understand and know the OSCC, thus guiding the residents in rural areas to take advantage of the services provided by the OSCC.
“We want them to hold briefings at least twice a month,” she said.
In addition, her department will publish books and pamphlets to be disseminated to the communities around the state.
“Therefore, the State Government has allocated RM500,000 as an assistance to promote and as provisions for hospital needs and personal needs of victims,” she said.
In the meantime, Rodziah informed that there have been more than 1,000 cases reported across Selangor.
“In Selangor, we have six OSCC that are available at General Hospitals including hospitals in Klang, Ampang, Kajang, Sungai Buluh and Selayang.We also will strive to reach the Sabak Bernam and Kuala Langat District Hospitals,” she said.
