Recognizing that they have a problem with domestic violence, Saudis are now starting to do something about it, according to this Saudi Gazette article. Opening a national call center is a good first step.
Call center to receive domestic violence cases
Yasmin Al-HamadJEDDAH - If you have a domestic violence case to report over the phone, you will not have to wait much longer to dial 1919.
A new phone service provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs as part of its ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence will soon be operated, according to the deputy minister of Social Affairs Awad Al-Raddadi.
Victims of domestic violence and those who wish to report violence cases will be connected with the Ministry’s Call Answering Center through the 1919 number service. The center will promptly respond to any reports of domestic abuse.
In cooperation with social protection committees and other government authorities across the nation, the center receives reports of abuse against children and spouses, in which the ministry intervenes to save victims.
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06:03,
nice move
08:06,
Ditto! Excellent move!
08:14,
It might be a good idea to have women, not men, answering the calls.
09:28,
I am afraid I see this nothing more as window dressing. It is optimistic to assume that a battered woman, prevented by law from leaving the house without the permission of her batterer, will actually have access to a phone and enough privacy to call for help.
Then when the ministry folk arrive, will they able to speak to the battered woman directly without her male guardian being present? Can she represent her side of the story in court directly without the intervention of her male guardian who may be the abuser?
Sorry, the whole set up misses the point. The first step to preventing wife-beating is actually giving the wife the chance to run away without getting arrested by the authorities for doing so.
13:53,
Olivetheoil:
Some of your points well taken; however, I think just having the line open and publicizing it will deter many men because of the public shame involved. And concerning battering the authorities take it very serious here. I don’t know if any man would call the line. By the way, abuse can be mutual :-)I did a presentation on it when I was back in the ole U.S.A. a while back. They even have pamphlets for abused men! ! ! That is extremely progressive.
I agree with John that it is a good first step. The other things you speak of come progressively later…