MADINA: The major reason for the increase in violence in families, in particular child abuse, can be attributed to the lack of legislation to protect vulnerable people and to apprehend perpetrators, according to sociologists and law makers, who have gathered here for a conference. Delegates said Wednesday that the majority of cases dealt with by the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) are connected to violence against children and other vulnerable family members. Dr. Talha Bin Muhammad Ghouth, a member of the NSHR in Madina, said the rise in such cases can be linked to the lack of legislation. He blamed various government agencies for not dealing quickly and efficiently with such cases, resulting in perpetrators escaping punishment. Ghouth said he hoped participants at the forum will come up with a well-defined resolution to tackle this issue. Other participants at the forum include police officers, judges, academics, social workers and experts from the ministries of Education and Social Affairs. The General Directorate of Health had called for all these various role-players to attend the gathering. Dr. Fatima Dawood, Head of the organizing committee, said the forum aims to highlight the role of social institutions in protecting families and children from violence. She said this is one of the fundamental reasons for the disintegration of the family. It also wants to ensure that all role players are equipped with the necessary skills to help them in handling such cases, she added. The two-day forum will be addressed by a number of professors who are specialists in psychology and sociology, from the Kingdom and abroad.
