A Shoura Council study has proposed five-year jail terms and fines of up to SR500,000 for those found guilty of sexual harassment, including the abuse of children and persons with disabilities.

A source said that these penalties are contained in draft anti-harassment legislation with tough provisions for male and female sex offenders. The minimum penalty is six months in jail. The law covers sexual harassment in the workplace.

The draft legislation ensures that the government prosecutes people accused of sex offenses even if victims drop their charges out of fear of being stigmatized.

The law requires the courts and media not to disclose the identity of victims, and for the government to provide them medical, psychological and legal support.

A subcommittee has completed its research on the subject and would now send its proposals to the council's social affairs committee, after which it would be sent to the general council for further discussion, the source said.

The draft law includes 17 articles, presented by a group of male and female members of the council, to counter the rising incidence of sex crimes in public and private.

The legislation is based on Islamic principles, to promote and protect a person's human rights, privacy and dignity. The law ensures sex offenders face criminal and civil and disciplinary liability, especially if it is in the workplace, the source said.

The Shoura members drew up a definition of sexual harassment, identified preventative measures and ways to improve the way complaints and investigations are undertaken.

They emphasized the need to provide a safe environment for women in the workplace and raise awareness of sexual harassment through the Human Rights Commission.

The draft law comes in the wake of several cases involving the abuse of women and children. There has been an outcry from members of the public for the government to take tough action against sex offenders.