Literacy of Women’s Rights as Human Rights and Violence against Women among Social Work Students

Abstract

This study investigates social work students’ views on the forms and causes of domestic violence and suggestions for intervention for survivors in Malaysia. To provide quality data, recruitment of final year undergraduate students from a public university, UNIMAS, was performed. All registered students of the final semester were eligible to take part in the study.  They were identified and invited as respondents to offer their views. A qualitative online interview protocol was sent to 76 students; the responses of 20 female students were deemed eligible for this research. Students were made to understand that participation was voluntary and anonymous, as the researcher was blinded as to which students completed the protocol. Focus Group Discussion FGD of selected students was conducted to augment the information gathered through the interview protocol with students. The study revealed that UNIMAS students seem to have fair knowledge about domestic violence, even though the university does not offer courses on family violence or domestic violence. The result showed that the students have a strong awareness of different types of domestic violence. Besides, the majority of respondents believed that violence against women is common in their respective communities but not reported. While most respondents recommended general counselling, some considered specific counselling, such as marital or family counselling.  The study also found that the majority of the respondents encouraged strengthening of the laws and legislation on violence against women as a potential solution. This is an indication that UNIMAS students are generally law-abiding, with the mindset that law can overcome violence against women. The students suggested the need to improve the awareness of the negative repercussions of domestic violence against women on national development.

Keywords: literacy, domestic, private issue, physical violence, mental abuse, trauma

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/85-06

Publication date: June 30^th 2026