Refuge for abused women in Malaysia

A Safe Haven For Support and Peace of Mind

Jasmine’s struggle began when she was married off at the tender age of 14 years old. In Malaysia, child marriage is still a common practice in the rural parts where education and opportunity is lacking. Life was difficult of course for the young bride as she was confronted with an impoverished life while starting a family but she was resilient and determined to make the most out of her circumstances. 

Years later her husband passed away due to health complications and so Jasmine was forced to take on 3 jobs to make ends meet. She was the sole breadwinner working hard to raise her 15 year old daughter, Yasmin. Her fighting spirit would not give up, she worked tirelessly as a babysitter, factory worker and a cleaner. 

2 years after her husband passed away, love had struck Jasmine at the factory where she worked and she got married to her co-worker, Din. In the 6 years of marriage, Jasmine and her daughter both were beaten and abused by Din. He had controlled her movements and her finances. He had also, mentally and emotionally tortured Jasmine by belittling her and constantly berating her existence. He would also forbid her to see her family and friends. 

Jasmine felt alone, helpless and was afraid for her life and the safety of her daughter. She tried to flee many times, but Din always managed to find her and her daughter. After several failed attempts at fleeing, early in January of this year, Jasmine, her daughter and Din were in Kuala Lumpur to attend the wedding of a relative. In the hotel, Din physically assaulted and hit Jasmine and her daughter to the point where both mother and daughter were admitted to hospital for one week. They had suffered injuries to the head area, severe bruises and pain around the body and neck area. 

Women’s Aid Organisation was later contacted by the hospital to help in providing shelter and social work for Jasmine and her daughter’s case.

At Women’s Aid Organisation, counsellors were provided to support Jasmine and her daughter through their traumatic ordeal and in psychological assessment of their mental and emotional well-being. The social workers assisted in round the clock case management of Jasmine’s case from start to finish beginning with the filing of the police report, medical check-up, protection order application right up to the divorce application in the civil and Syariah court (out of state).

Jasmine and her daughter endured many challenges in getting the protection order but the light at the end of the tunnel was that she felt safe with the social workers and the shelter supported her healing and provided her that temporary space to seek refuge from abuse and torture.

Jasmine and her daughter are no longer staying at the shelter, they are now able to live independently and have rented a small apartment with another Women’s Aid Organisation client. Jasmine is now working at a boutique and her daughter Yasmin, has begun school again preparing for her PMR (O-Level) exams. They are both empowered in their independence and have peace of mind to thrive and live the life they have dreamnt of.