Call to Set Up Family Counseling Centers to Curb Child Abuse

RIYADH, 30 March 2004, 30 March 2004 — Establishing family counseling centers has been suggested by a leading sociologist as part of a national campaign to address the problem of child abuse.

“Common examples of child abuse in the Kingdom include verbal, physical and sexual harassment of children from three to 18 years old,” said Professor Saud Al-Dohayan of the social services department at King Saud University.

He made the remarks at a seminar at King Fahd Medical Center here on Sunday.

Professor Al-Dohayan pointed out that a large percentage of child abuse in the Kingdom occurred in low-income families. He cited various incidents of children leaving their homes to find jobs because of problems with parents. “These are the children seen selling various items at traffic lights in Riyadh,” he said.

Professor Al-Dohayan emphasized the need for family counseling centers all over the Kingdom to educate parents about their obligations and responsibilities. At present there are only two such centers — one in Riyadh and the other in Jeddah.

To curb the problem, schools should have programs where teachers talk to parents about their children so that both parties can discuss the best solutions to problems.

Dr. Turki Al-Otaiyan of King Fahd Security College said violence between parents had a very bad effect on children.

“According to Islam, male is not superior to female nor is female superior to male. Abuse differs from family to family; in one instance a man may abuse his wife by ignoring her and in another, he may abuse her by physically attacking her,” he said.

The seminar was organized for International Social Workers’ Month.

“We want to create public awareness about family problems and health, especially in regard to children’s upbringing,” said Dr. Sameeha Al-Haider, director general of the Social Services Department at King Abdul Aziz City.