Saudi Gazette report NAJRAN — Security bodies in Najran are investigating an alleged sexual assault against a handicapped woman. The 20-year-old woman was transferred from the rehabilitation center to the maternity and children's hospital for medical examination. A security source said the police were notified by the hospital of suspicions that the woman was sexually assaulted. Police investigators visited the hospital and the Bureau of Investigations and Public Prosecution (BIP) was also notified. The source stressed, however, that this does not confirm that the woman was indeed assaulted. Head of the Njaran rehabilitation center Abdullah Al-Barqi said the woman had spent a few days outside the center with her family. The center regulations call for examining any of the residents after they return to the center after visiting relatives, and such an examination revealed bruises on the woman's body. The center transferred the woman to hospital, and a committee represented by the police and the Social Affairs is investigating the incident. Director of Najran Health Affairs Saleh Al-Mu'nes said that the hospital is awaiting test results and that the woman is in stable condition, Al-Watan newspaper reported. Spokesman for Najran Social Affairs Man'ei Al-Hetailah confirmed that preliminary examinations did not indicate any signs of sexual assault. He said what had been published in the media was mere speculation. Najran police spokesman, Cap. Abdullah Al-Ashwi, said investigations are still under way. Meanwhile, a woman escaped from Abha social protection center and sought refuge at the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Alsharq newspaper reported. She has apparently climbed over the center's walls and fled to the HRC branch headquarters, where she was received and assured of assistance. The HRC notified the police who questioned the woman and then returned her to the center. However, the center refused to accept her, and police transferred her to a detention center. The case was referred to the BIP. Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, head of the HRC branch in Asir, said the woman suffered from delusions and was complaining that the social protection center was planning to hand her over to her family. The HRC is communicating with the Social Affairs and the BIP to find out why she was sent to the detention center since she has not committed any crime. The woman claimed that her escape from the social protection center was due to the ill-treatment she received from workers at the center, Al-Watan reported. Another woman at the center has also complained of harsh treatment by workers. Sources said the HRC is following up with the Social Affairs about their refusal to accept the woman back into the social protection center.
