The Ministry of Health recorded 2,139 domestic violence and abuse cases at its facilities in 2014, with married women, children and the elderly being the main victims.

The ministry’s department of domestic violence and mental health stated that the Eastern Province recorded 466 cases, about 21.8 percent of the total. Jeddah ranked second on the list with 359 cases, or 16.8 percent, followed by Taif with 319 cases or 14.9 percent.

The most abused people were between the ages of 30 and 60, comprising 848 cases or 39.6 percent. Abused married women were the victims in 1,246 cases, about 56.5 percent, while children were involved in 538 cases, amounting to 24.4 percent.

The ministry stated that the main perpetrators were husbands, making up 50.1 percent of total cases. They were involved in 1,330 cases of physical assault or 71.5 percent, and 263 cases of sexual abuse, or 14.5 percent of cases.

Turki bin Abdullah Al-Malki, a social worker with the ministry’s department, said domestic violence and other cases of abuse were increasing. However, the ministry was taking action with the National Family Safety Program to tackle the problem.

Al-Malki said the ministry was helping to train field staff and setting up a website that would help workers and other professionals in the field.