‘She was insulted, spat on’: social worker recounts survivor’s ordeal

Free Malaysia Today

Women’s Aid Organisation’s N Mogana Devi urges women facing domestic or gender-based violence to seek help from a trusted friend, neighbour, or support group.   Written & presented by: Pan Eu Joe  Shot by: Fauzi Yunus  Edited by: Hemaviknesh Supramaniam   Read More:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/03/08/she-survived-10-years-of-horror-a-prisoner-in-her-own-home/  Laporan Lanjut:   Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com  Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5  Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM  Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h  Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp  Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX  Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb  Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj  Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Download FMT News App:  Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46  App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ  Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP   #FMTExclusive #WomensAidOrganisation #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025

Transcript

00:00Women's aid organisation senior social worker M. Mogana Devi

00:05has handled many harrowing cases in her years of working with the NGO since 2019.

00:13But the one case that remains etched in her memory revolves around the ordeal of a survivor

00:19who was denied menstrual pads, forced to eat expired bread

00:23and on some days left with nothing but water to survive.

00:25The perpetrator would restrain her inside the house. She cannot engage with anybody,

00:33no phones, she cannot go out, she's locked in, which is very disturbing. Psychologically,

00:39she would be insulted, spitted on and just very, very extreme abuse. For one woman to experience

00:48all forms of abuse and the intensity of each abuse was very much heartbreaking for me

00:55and I felt very disturbed. I was in shock.

01:01The fact that this has been endured for like 10 years was really crazy. It's like I couldn't

01:10digest it at first. To then know that the importance of domestic violence assistance

01:17and the services then really clicked in and that is what kind of fuelled up

01:23my passion towards this as well and the job that we all are doing collectively.

01:28Despite the horror she endured, the survivor found a way out.

01:35With WAO's help, she is now employed, living independently

01:39and even giving back to society by offering free tuition classes for underprivileged children.

01:45She also participated in a lot of art exhibitions and really pursued her passion.

01:54To see how someone who thought they would never live another day is now living so great

02:00and giving back to the community is just so inspiring, I would say.

02:07The trauma the survivor was put through is one reason why Morgana is pushing the government

02:12to fast-track the Social Work Profession Bill which would give social workers formal

02:16recognition and better resources to support women in crisis.

02:22She advised women who are going through domestic or gender-based violence

02:26to share their ordeal with a close friend or a neighbour if they do not have access to a phone.

02:33The first step is definitely reaching out to the close friend or you can contact any

02:37available service out there such as NGOs or even straight to the law enforcement.

02:44We assisted her with case management such as police reporting, we got her protection order

02:50where she won't be harassed or disturbed by the perpetrator anymore,

02:54we assisted her with her divorce case as well.

02:57WAO offers multiple lifelines for survivors including their hotline at 03-3000-8858

03:05from 9am to 5pm, 24-hour SMS WhatsApp support Tina at 018-988-8058

03:13and counselling, temporary shelter and employment assistance to help survivors regain independence.

03:20This year's International Women's Day carries the theme Accelerate Action,

03:24calling for urgent steps to uphold women's rights,

03:27ensure equality and empower survivors to reclaim their lives.

03:32FMT wishes all women Happy International Women's Day 2025.

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