JEDDAH, 10 October 2006 — The debate continues on whether the growing number of reported domestic violence cases is a sign of a disturbing phenomenon in a male-dominated society or is it only a few cases that still need quick and forceful action.

However, the real issue remains as to what should be done to prevent more of these cases from happening and if they do, how to protect the victims and secure their rights.

Arab News has reported on different kinds of abuse cases, of women viciously beaten by their husbands or brothers, of the elderly neglected by their children and, worst, of children mercilessly abused by their parents emotionally, physically and sexually.

The common theme, or rather complaint, is the so far useless measures taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Society for Human Rights.

A 22-year-old woman who endured life-long physical abuse along with her mother and siblings from their father was greatly disappointed by the conditions at the home shelter opened by the ministry for protecting abused women and children. Another woman suffered constant humiliation and beating first by her husband and then brother but still could not get refuge in the shelter.

“What is the use of the National Society for Human Rights if they cannot help?” she asks. “Is it only to collect statistics?”

Ever since the establishment of the NSHR in 2003 it has been under pressure to bring change and people have had high expectations of it. But the society is neither an executive body nor does it have any official power. Its role is to try to help those who approach it in getting their rights through the established system while also trying to propose and persuade the relevant ministries to make the required changes to the system.

The NSHR also conducts research and collects a database of information on the cases to support its arguments. The home shelter could be considered a success, as it was one of its early demands. However bureaucracy, inefficiency and unqualified personnel have made the shelters inadequate. Many of the abuse victims who sought the shelters were returned to their abusers without proper investigation in their cases or providing them with any kind of therapy, legal assistance or empowerment programs that would help them become self-reliant.

In a recent seminar on domestic violence Al-Jowhara Al-Angary, director of the Family and Child Cases Committee at the NSHR, said that the society has received over 6,000 cases, 40 percent of them relating to family violence. This she considers to be a disturbing phenomenon in Saudi society because “what we see is only the tip of the iceberg”. She called for the quick establishment of independent family courts, which was also among the society’s early recommendations. Last year the Ministry of Justice announced that it is in the process of forming these courts. The family courts would be specialized in handling family cases such as divorce and abuse in an efficient and timely manner. She also called for legislating laws that prevent violence and protect the victim and the need to have a police force trained in handling family matters.

Al-Angary particularly emphasized the need to have tough laws in cases of incest especially with regards to revoking the guardianship of a father automatically once it has been proven that he sexually harassed or assaulted his children. There is also a need to educate men, women and children of their rights and obligations in accordance with Shariah.

“We need to have a comprehensive national plan that would guide the abuse victims and the caregivers on the steps to follow for protecting the victim and securing them their rights,” said Dr. Sara Abbar, a public health practitioner specializing in abuse cases, in an interview with Arab News.

She finds that there are individual attempts here and there, which are to be commended, but there has to be an overall strategy that tackles the problem at its roots and find solutions at every stage. Whether it is the society’s lack of awareness, inefficient prosecution and justice system or inadequate home shelters, “new laws and procedures have to be introduced so that the victim is supported and treated in a humane way rather than feeling hopeless and helpless,” said Abbar.