The new Anti-Abuse Law passed by the Cabinet last Monday fulfills most international standards and requirements, said Omar Al-Kouli, a law professor at King Abdulaziz University.
“This is a significant law that would make people think several times before committing acts of abuse against others, especially their family members,” he pointed out.
Abusers will be sentenced to not less than a month and not more than a year in prison and fined a minimum of SR 5,000 and a maximum of SR 50,000, according to Article 13 of the law.
A court can impose either a financial penalty or both punishment or both, the law states, adding that punishment could be doubled if a person repeats the crime. The court will also have the right to issue alternative punishment.
The law stressed on the need to enlighten the public including potential victims like women, children and the elderly about their rights.
According to a study, women were the victims in 71 percent of abuse cases in the Kingdom, followed by children of divorced parents at 58 percent and primary school students at 36 percent. In 18 percent of he cases, dangerous items have been used to attack women and children.
Article 1 of the law defines an offender as someone exploiting or misusing his power or family relations to cause physical, psychological or sexual harm to others. It includes preventing a person from doing something or showing negligence in his duties in meeting the basic needs of those depending on him.
The law aims at ensuring protection for members of society from various types of abuse and providing abuse victims the necessary support, health care and shelter and taking legal action against violators of the law.
Article 3 urges people, including public and private sector employees, to inform authorities about abuse cases immediately. “If police receives any information about abuse, it should take immediate action and inform relevant authorities,” the law said.
Article 5 insists that the identity of the informer should not be revealed except with his or her permission. Civilian and military officers will be punished, in accordance with the law, if they violate rules pertaining to informing cases of abuse in their places of work.
“An informer will be forgiven if the case he or she reports does not come under abuse category, considering his or her good intent,” the law pointed out. Relevant authorities will call parties of an abuse case to hear views from both sides and take written undertaking from the abuser that they would provide necessary care and protection to the abused.
Measures taken by authorities should not cause any further harm to the abused, the law said. “If the case is found to be dangerous, it should be brought to the attention of the local administrator and police in order to take quick protective measures,” the law added.
New law a strong deterrent for abusers
