Suad Al-Shamrani Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The executive manager of the national family protection program said three out of 10 women are subjected to domestic violence in the Kingdom. Statistics also show that 200 children are admitted to hospital every year because of domestic violence, said Dr. Maha Al-Menaif. The family protection program had organized the fifth meeting of experts on the subject under the slogan, "The media is a strategic partner in the prevention of violence". During the meeting, Princess Adelah Bint Abdullah said the media does not realize the importance of dealing with domestic violence cases. The media, she claimed, does not take into consideration the consequences of its reports. Such material might encourage more violence, she said. She said awareness is one of the bases of dealing with domestic violence in society. According to a study conducted by the family protection program, charities and hospital employees display the most awareness when it comes to violence against children. She stressed the media's role in combating domestic violence. She said a plan to tackle domestic violence should be implemented to promote and enforce positive behavior in the family and limit the publishing of material that promotes violence. Abdulaziz Khoja, minister of culture and information, promised to adopt these recommendations through television programs, series and films. He said some studies have shown that domestic violence is the result of drugs and alcohol addictions in addition to social and psychological problems. He added that Islam has set the bases for confronting violence through compassion. He said a report by the guidance unit of the Ministry of Social Affairs pointed out that 30 percent of domestic violence cases are due to marital problems and another 30 percent are caused by family problems. The psychological effects of violence may remain for years in the form of apprehension and indolence, among others. Al-Khoja said it was regrettable that only 2.5 percent of Saudis are aware of the dangers of domestic violence. Verbal assault and violence is widespread in Saudi society, he added, and has become a trend as it represented 18 percent of violence cases, while bodily harm accounts for 16 percent of cases. He said despite the availability of traditional and new media, society is still not aware of domestic violence trends. He said the Ministry of Culture and Information was ready to be a partner in confronting domestic violence in society and make the meeting's recommendations a reality.
