Waging war on family abuse
By Mohammed Al A’Ali
May 8, 2006
Gulf Daily News
A new national strategy to combat family abuse is on the way, according to Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi.
It will include special courts, a shelter for the abused and a child protection unit.
The strategy be drawn up in co-ordination with a Canadian expert in family violence, who will soon travel to Bahrain.
The government has already approved the idea for a Family Abuse Shelter, but the budget has not yet been given the green light yet, said Dr Al Balooshi.
"We are currently looking for a suitable place to rent and furnish, considering that it will accommodate a number of people, who will be provided with the best services possible," she said.
"The ministry is currently working with the Tender Board on this issue."
Dr Al Balooshi was responding in writing to a question by Shura Council member Faisal Fulad on the ministry's projects to help shelter those affected by family abuse.
"A committee comprising ministries, government organisations, civil society establishments is on its way, to come up with a mechanism of co-operation and joint projects to help those affected by family abuse, without anyone overlapping the other," said Dr Al Balooshi.
"The strategy to help victims will be drawn up in co-operation with a Canadian expert, who came forward to help us after our visit to Canada in November last year to learn from the country's experiences.
"The ministry has already started working on the shelter's structure, which will have social and psychological therapists and specialists, family guidance experts and other support and technical staff.
"Dr Fadheela Al Mahroos has been brought to work with the ministry to help establish a child protection office - which will be under the umbrella of the shelter.
Dr Al Balooshi said that Justice Minister Dr Mohammed Al Sitri had been contacted to allocate special courts to deal with cases related to the shelter.
"We are also hoping that these courts will be at the shelter's premises," she said.
Mr Fulad told the GDN that Bahrain was trying its best to meet international standards.
"Bahrain has a long way to go in regard to family violence, since it has not yet come up with laws for family protection," he said.
"We still don't have a family protection law to deal with family-related issues and we hope it would see the light soon.
"The problem is Bahrain is focusing on projects, which is good as a minimum requirement, while it has to do more to ensure that families are protected through law in the first place.