Interesting story in Arab News about how Saudi women’s shelters are asking for a higher level of protection against violence by family members of their clients. The piece states that the shelters do receive some protection and that the protection is good, but they simply need more of it. Not all elements of municipal government quite understand the role of the shelters and the need for their procedures, including keeping violent abusers away from their spouses, even if they’re married.

At least some shelters exist to protect the victims of domestic violence. I’m sure, however, that ‘more can be done’.

Women’s shelter faces threats

JEDDAH: Employees at the Family Protection Shelter in Jeddah are asking authorities to provide “official” protection due to the threats they receive from abusers who try to get at their victims.

According to a report in yesterday’s Al-Watan newspaper, the legal representative at the shelter, Omar Al-Kholi, said there is one police officer on duty as well as private security guards.

However, he pointed out that the security should be bolstered. Throughout Jeddah, hotels and compounds are provided high levels of security.

Workers at the shelter have complained of recurring incidents where angry family members in some cases threaten to murder workers at the shelter if they don’t return abuse victims to their violators.

“We are demanding official protection by police, but the demand is still being studied,” said Al-Kholi. “We receive many threats that we in most cases ignore them.”
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