The statistics of crime victims among women gradually decreased each year as a result of awareness campaigns carried out by various parties, including government and private agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Community Safety Department director Datuk Rusli Ahmad said the total number of female crime victims had dropped from 42,917 to 37,791 cases last year, while for the first nine months this year, 28,252 cases were reported.

He said the cases included women as victims of murder, rape, robbery, violence, theft and burglary.

"The police hope this decline in crime statistics will continue in the future and urge the public to combat crime together," he told a media conference after a gimmick for the launch of the programme, 'Walk the Talk 2016-Community Against Violence' here yesterday.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, who launched the gimmick said there had also been a drop in the number of domestic violence cases.

She said there were 667 cases last year, as compared to 707 cases in 2014. Meanwhile, only 199 cases were reported for the first six months of this year.

However, Rohani said, what was worrying was that there were also cases of domestic violence involving senior citizens, although in small number, with 15 cases last year and seven in 2014.

"It is a pity to see senior citizens involved in such cases as at their age, they should be loved more. Thus, we are currently mobilising efforts to find the root cause of the problem," she said.

The 'Walk the Talk 2016-Community Against Violence' programme will be held on Nov 27 at Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur and aims to attract 1,000 participants. -- Bernama