Kelantan police chief Hasanuddin Hassan said of a total of 594 such cases reported from January to October, violence against women topped the list with 499 cases.

There were also 54 rape cases.

Other offences involving sexual violence included molest, sodomy and distribution of pornographic pictures.

Cases involving domestic violence included child, maid and wife abuse. Concealment of birth by abandoning babies was included in this category.

Last year, a total of 692 cases were recorded, with 590 cases involving domestic violence and 90 rape cases.

“The number (of cases of sexual violence and domestic violence) is alarming and should be addressed jointly with other concerned agencies,” Hasanuddin told reporters at a “Stop Violence Against Women” campaign here today.