By Fatima Al-Dibais

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

DAMMAM — Some 1,794 people charged with verbally or physically harassing women were severely published, according to informed sources who believe that the enlightenment of women about their rights and their confidence in the legal system has helped reduce the number of harassers.

The sources did not reveal the quantum of punishment but under the current court system, if proved guilty, a harasser is subject to be imprisoned for a year and fined SR100,000 or the two punishments together if he committed his crime in public places.

If the harassment happens in offices or work places, the jail term will be six months to a year and the fine SR20,000 to SR50,000.

Secretary general of the Human Rights Commission, Khaled Al-Fakhri, who is a legal consultant, said the first thing a woman should do when harassed is to file an official complaint with the concerned authorities.

He said the punishment against harassers is still discretionary but it will be legalized when the harassment law is codified and put into practice.

"The punishment will then be decided according to the law and not left to the discretion of the judges," he added.

Fakhri said the current punishment against the harassers is jail and fine which will be decided by the judge but when the law is issued it will be clearly decided.

"The punishment against harassers is left to the personal assessment of the judges and it differs according to its nature, time and place," he said.

According to several lawyers, the harassment law will be forwarded to the supreme authorities for final approval within 60 days after which it will constitute the guidelines for the judges.

They said the law will be codified taking into the account the observations and recommendations of the Shoura Council members on the issue.

Under the present system, the employer who fails to stop the harassment, will be jailed and fined.