Saudi doctors and hospitals are now required, by law, to report suspected cases of child abuse. Training courses are now being given to teach medical staffs to recognize it when they see it, as well as what their legal obligations are. This is indeed a step forward, reports Saudi Gazette.
Doctors must Report Child Abuse to help Improve Intervention
Suzan ZawawiRIYADH - From cigarette burns, shaken baby syndrome to sexual abuse and neglect, the signs of child abuse and neglect were the main focus of the first day of the second Multidisciplinary Approach to Child Abuse and Neglect Training Course.
More than 150 participants - physicians, social workers, mental health professional, policemen, attorneys, and prosecutors - participated in the training course held by the National Family Safety Program.
Neglect is the most common type of child abuse worldwide, said US speaker Barbara Bonner, past president of (International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (IPSCAN).
“This is due to the rise in poverty and substance abuse,” she said.
There are no statistics on childhood abuse and neglect in the Kingdom. However, this will soon change with the establishment of the Child Protection Centers around the Kingdom.
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February:25:2008 - 20:05
Who, exactly, are the doctors and hospitals reporting to? Someone who can decide whether or not to do something about the abuse?
February:25:2008 - 20:05
The article doesn’t say, exactly, but since the police are also taking the course, it may be they.
February:25:2008 - 20:05
Good. Like I have said my mom worked here as a nurse in a hospital for two years. Many Saudis will ask me, “Did your mom convert to Islam while living here?” I answer “NO…She worked in the hospital and saw cases of child abuse some sexual and was not allowed to report it. She saw needy people refused beds and treatment while the rich got everything free. Those instances and add a ton more didn’t tickle her heart towards Islam.”
Their faces just drop to the floor when I say that.
February:25:2008 - 20:05
If such reports merely flow to a single person charged with making the decision of whether to pursue the matter or not then it may really be a case of centralizing and increasing corruption, rather than the pursuit of justice.
February:25:2008 - 20:05
During my working in Emmmergency Department at Hospiatl I saw clear violation to patients right by Saudi doctor who works at Emergency hospital.This hospital was recently certificed by JCI IN nOVEMBER 2007????????????
February:25:2008 - 20:05
How honest will these people be in reporting the facts? Child labour abuse takes place a lot in saudi arabia…is that going to be on the list? I don’t think a doctor will see these children, do you?
February:25:2008 - 20:05
Another thought, this could be dangerous to women…as I see it, the men rule the country and can easily blame the women for abuse…who would listen to a woman that according to islam is deficient in her brain? I see more room for abuse. When women are equal then them being abused might stop…then the men can not longer get away with abuse.