International Women’s Day Announcement – WAO Hotline now +603 3000 8858

The WAO Hotline – that offers crisis support to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence – has a new number: +603 3000 8858.

Along with this new number, WAO is upgrading our Hotline system to better adapt to remote working. This new system is able to handle more incoming calls, which can be diverted to crisis support officers – volunteers who operate the WAO Hotline – working remotely.

This is to ensure the WAO Hotline can cater to the increasing number of calls, in a way that is safe for our volunteers and staff in the context of COVID-19.

Following the first MCO in March 2020, WAO experienced a fourfold increase in calls to the Hotline and messages to TINA.

WAO Hotline and TINA (SMS/WhatsApp)

Since 1982, WAO has provided free shelter, counselling, and crisis support to women and children who experience abuse.

Through our Hotline and other services, we directly reach over 4,000 survivors – providing critical information about their rights and options, so they can make informed decisions towards living a life free from violence.

Besides the WAO Hotline, WAO also operates a WhatsApp hotline – TINA, which stands for ‘Think I need Aid’.

Through the WAO Hotline and TINA, survivors can also make appointments for face-to-face consultations, and subsequently access other services such as crisis shelter, counselling, and case management.

WAO crisis services are free and confidential.

WAO Hotline running as usual throughout MCO

COVID-19 has worsened the situation for survivors.

Adapting appropriate safety measures and operating virtually, WAO services remained operational throughout the various movement control orders (MCO). To ensure survivors had better access to reach WAO, we extended our Hotline hours to 24 hours a day.

The new WAO Hotline number is effective 1 March 2021. Calls made to the old Hotline number will be redirected to our current Hotline number.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of violence against women, call the WAO Hotline at 03 3000 8858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA at 018 988 8058.

You can also visit wao.org.my for information on domestic violence on how to get help.

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About Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

Since 1982, Women’s Aid Organisation has provided free shelter, counselling, and crisis support to women and children who experience abuse. We help women and their children rebuild their lives, after surviving domestic violence, rape, trafficking, and other atrocities. Learning from women’s experiences, we advocate to improve public policies and shift public mindsets. Together, we change lives.

Call the WAO Hotline at 03 3000 8858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA at 018 988 8058 if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse. For more information, visit wao.org.my.

For more information, please contact:

Yu Ren Chung, Advocacy Manager
renchung@wao.org.my / 016 718 3247

Rusni Tajari, Senior Advocacy Officer
rusnitajari@wao.org.my/ 013 380 2287