The Kingdom’s health facilities have recorded 212 cases of domestic violence cases in 2013, with 172 involving children.

Based on data released by the Family Safety Program (FSP), 86 percent of tortured children were Saudis.

Parents were blamed for 72 percent of cases. There was greater physical violence against female children. However, there was no difference between male and female children in terms of sexual and emotional abuse.

The bigger the family, the higher rates of domestic violence, the FSP data showed. Other factors that contributed to abuse included divorce and unemployed husbands.

In a related development, an eight-year child was tortured to death by his mother in Jeddah recently, an expert told local media.

Director of Family Protection Salih Al-Ghamdi said two daughters were also abused. The government has taken custody of the two children, who appeared to have scars from previous beatings, he said.

The mother, 38, was arrested and her case referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution, said Lt. Col. Atti bin Attiyah Al-Qurashi, media spokesman of Makkah Police.