Government authorities have decreed the establishment of a committee comprising specialists and representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Culture and Information, to punish harassers and public offenders, a local newspaper reported.

The committee has been given the jurisdiction to name and shame those involved in acts of malice and harm against individuals and the community, including incidents related to violations against public interest and indecent behavior.

The move comes in the wake of the national outrage stirred by the harassment incident that occurred in Alkhobar mall. The seven young men have since been referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.

A video clip showing the young men aggressively pursuing and harassing a group of women went viral on social media sites and instigated an immediate backlash in the Saudi community.

The incident sparked national indignation and prompted calls for harsher punishment against harassers and public offenders.