Domestic violence is not merely a problem, it has now become a social phenomenon, Dr. Maha Al-Moneef, Executive Director of the Family Security program, has said. “The Ministry of Social Affairs refers to the issue as a problem, not a phenomenon. This is due to the fact that the ministry does not have accurate statistics about it,” she said. The country, she said, lacks accurate statistics that would provide a good indication of the amount of domestic violence in Saudi society. “The health sector's statistics show that there are daily reports of violence against women, children and elderly people.” According to statistical information, Dr. Al-Moneef says that domestic violence increases in crowded areas and large cities in comparison to remote areas, which is due to poverty, unemployment, use of drugs and liquor and difficult economic conditions. Dr. Al-Moneef said the results of a one-year study will be issued soon and will show that the treatment of domestic violence cases by government organizations is still below standard and those working in the domain of protection and care for violence victims lack sufficient training and awareness. The study shows that many government bodies have not yet clearly classified domestic violence, and that the procedures in dealing with cases vary from one body to another, she said. Dr. Al-Moneef welcomed the Protection from Abuse system which prompts reporting, immediate response, rehabilitation and protection against abuse. The system was launched by the King Khaled Charitable Foundation and has been adopted by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The system, she said, is an important step, but “application of the system is more important.”
