One day after declaring that Parliament had no intention of criminalizing marital rape, a deputy minister within the Prime Minister’s office has encouraged women to begin reporting incidences of domestic violence, including the aforementioned marital rape.
Say what now?
Mohamad Hanipa Maidin elaborated, saying that, to date, there have been few women willing to come forward to report such circumstances, with only one case having been classified under Section 375A of the Penal Code.
The law covers the criminalization of a violent act committed by a man either causing physical trauma, or inflicting psychological terror tantamount to fear of death leading up to sex. However, the law itself stops short of recognizing that a husband could be guilty of rape.
Nebulous at best, and ultimately insufficient in protecting the rights of so many women who find themselves in abusive marriages.
For the record, that one case brought forward under Section 375A was later withdrawn by the plaintiff, as she feared her husband and recognized that she was not fully protected by the law.
Yesterday, Hanipa said that such cases of rape were “hard to prove,” which is hard to believe for many who have grown up with the mantra of boundaries that “no means no” when it comes to unwanted sexual advances.
Sensing that many women’s groups were incensed by the lack of action, the deputy minister told Parliament he understood “this is hard,” and that the new government would gradually try to amend the law. However, he remained skeptical as to whether it would be blocked in the Dewan Rakyat (lower house), and essentially to paraphrase earlier statements – doesn’t want to bother.
“It’s not that we don’t consider this a priority, but it is currently on a list of other law reforms that need attention,” he said.
Inclusive government, right? Minus LGBTQ+, women, and anyone else who finds themselves on the inconvenient side of the law.
Pour us a drink, we’re done with today.
