Rape Victims and Battered Wives in Malaysia

Abstract

The article deals with the legal remedies for victims of rape and domestic violence. It examines, firstly, the defects in the laws relating to rape and other sexual assaults as mainly provided by the three important legislations viz. The Penal Code, the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code. Proposed reforms and revisions in these legislations are also included but the discussion will not be in depth. As the laws stand, battered wives are left almost without any legal protection. Therefore the second part of the article deals not only with the meagre provisions which relate to the relevant laws but also some recommendations for legal reforms by the womens' groups.