Nadia Al-Fawwaz Saudi Gazette ABHA — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has intervened to protect an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly abused physically and verbally by her stepmother. The principal of the 23rd girls elementary school, Mariam Jaber, confirmed reports of the abuse that spread on social media. She said the girl's teachers noticed signs of abuse on her body, but she kept silent when asked about them. One day the teachers noticed burn marks on her body and they were then sure that she was being abused. They contacted the child's stepmother and father before notifying local authorities, which then asked the HRC to intervene. A commission team visited the school and questioned the child's stepmother. Finally, the girl told the team her stepmother had been abusing her. The HRC submitted a report to the Asir Emir's Office, who ordered an urgent investigation into the incident and protection for the child. The head of the HRC in Asir Dr. Hadi Al-Yami said his organization pays great attention to children's rights and provides them with the necessary protection. He pointed out that the commission has completed all necessary procedures with the stepmother and is awaiting further action from the social protection committee. The social protection committee is awaiting a go-ahead from the emir to hand the child over to her mother.
