Saudi Gazette report
HAIL — The Ministry of Social Affairs announced it will open a protection home in Hail after a girl was domestically abused by her mother but could not find any facility in the area to take her in, Al-Watan reported.
Hail Social Affairs Director Khalid Al-Nuwaisir said last month Nourah Al-Rashidi was beaten by her mother but the ministry had to transfer her to Qassim where the nearest home was.
He said: “So far there is only a Social Affairs Committee in Hail. The committee receives calls and deals with the social issues of the province.
“The committee would consider protection homes as a last resort after it has tried to mediate between people by encouraging forgiveness or enlisting them under a social and psychological rehabilitation program.”
He also said protection homes are open to women of all ages, children under 18 and victims of severe domestic abuse.
“The ministry has a hotline number (1919) as stated on its website.
“The call center is available to respond immediately and we follow strict procedures ensuring and prioritizing the victim’s safety.”
An operator from the call center said he receives calls from all over the Kingdom and based on the report they redirect the caller to the appropriate committee.
He said: “All of the reports we receive are handled in confidence and are dealt with swiftly. We sometimes face cases of murder and fatal threats.
“The case of Nourah was very devastating. She had to face abuse for years because there wasn’t any protection homes in Hail to take her away from her mother.”
Naif Al-Rashidi, the victim’s uncle, said he requested to have her taken away from her home and put under his care.
He said: “The Hail Social Affairs Directorate rejected my request claiming my house was too small to fit her with my own children.
“I had a room ready for her and her sisters. Being stuffed in a house is way better than being tortured in another.”
He confirmed Nourah is now in a protection home in Qassim but added that the Ministry of Social Affairs is not letting him visit her or take her out.
