WAO: Research and Advocacy - Migrant Domestic Worker Abuse

In 2007 alone there were 3756 reports of domestic violence made to the police. At the WAO Refuge, in the first six (6) months of 2008 we have received 371 phone calls from victims, friends and family members asking social workers for advice on domestic violence. At the Refuge, we have given shelter to 35 battered women and their children.

Every effort must be made to raise awareness on domestic violence which still remains hidden within intimate relationships. WAO notes that over the 26 years of our work, younger women are now coming out to seek help, which may be an indicator that women may be more aware of their rights and refuse to accept abuse from their husbands or boyfriends.

WAO’s public education programme has been strengthened by The Body Shop’s corporate social responsibility. We began to collaborate with The Body Shop since 1996 and for the last ten years the Body Shop has sponsored the publication of WAO’s Stop Violence against Women brochure in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

This year , the brochure carries more information on domestic violence so that people can be educated and made more aware to look out for tell tale signs of friends who may be suffering abuse at the hands of their intimate partners.

This popular brochure is useful and informative for anyone wanting to know more about domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment and where to go for help. At WAO, our social workers will testify that women call our telephone counselling line after they had picked this brochure.

Every year The Body Shop also raises funds for WAO by allocating one product for sale. This year customers at Body Shop outlets can purchase ‘For Me, For You’ Shea Lip Care Duo of which RM28 is contributed to WAO. The Body Shop has managed to contribute from RM50,000 to RM100,000 towards WAO’s operational costs. WAO needs RM900, 000 per year to operate our Refuge, Child Care Centre and WAO Centre.

WAO is thankful to The Body Shop, our longstanding partner for their contribution and commitment to the issue.

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