Saturday, 5 March 2016

Child abuse cases rise eightfold, says survey

JEDDAH: The incidents of child abuse, including physical, sexual and neglect, has increased almost eightfold in the Kingdom, a study conducted by the National Family Safety Program has revealed.
The rate of physical abuse was put at 58.4 percent, sexual 18 percent and neglect 31.4 percent, local media has reported, citing the study.
According to the study, physical assault by fathers represent 20.2 percent, by mothers 29.2 percent and by other family members 21.3 percent. The proportion of non-family assaults, including drivers and maids, was put at 5.6 percent, while by strangers 23.6 percent.
The study also found that among the reported cases, the number of normal children abused was 87 against 11 involving children with special needs.
Yasser Al-Sharif, chairman of the Nabd Society, reportedly said that GCC states are working with the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect under the slogan:“Together toward a safer childhood.”
He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark Gulf Child Day in Jeddah recently.
Ambassador of humanity in the Federation of the United States’ National Family Safety Program, Al-Sharif said establishment of the Kingdom’s national family safety program is meant to establish and entrench the basis of an aware and safe society that protects and defends the rights of its individuals and takes care of victims of domestic violence.
The program seeks to achieve its objectives through raising awareness on the phenomena and holding partnerships with both the public and private sectors. At the same time, the program takes care of the victims and lifts their sufferings, as well as the provision of adequate medical and psychological care and social assistance to the victims of domestic and child abuse or neglect across the Kingdom.

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