Judge’s comments raise women’s ire

Judge's comments raise women's ire Hayat Al-Ghamdi | Arab News

ABHA: A Jeddah court judge's approval of husbands slapping their wives on the face if they spend money lavishly on unnecessary things triggered a hue and cry during a seminar on domestic violence here recently. "If a person gives SR1,200 to his wife and she spends SR900 to purchase an abaya (the black gown) from a brand shop and if her husband slaps her on the face as a reaction to her action, she deserves that punishment," said Judge Hamad Al-Razine. The judge made this comment in the presence of Princess Adila bint Abdullah, deputy chairperson of the National Family Safety Program, who attended the seminar on the role of judicial and security institutions in preventing domestic violence. Al-Razine was explaining the causes of an increase in domestic violence in the country, adding that women were also equally responsible. "But nobody puts even a fraction of blame on them," he said before making the controversial comment. Al-Razine's comment evoked an immediate reaction from the women in the audience who loudly protested. They were all the more surprised when they learned that the man who made the comment was a judge. Al-Razine also pointed out that women's indecent behavior and use of offensive words against their husbands were some of the reasons for domestic violence in the country. He said cases related to preventing women from marriage topped the list of family cases that come to Saudi courts, followed by guardianship of children. Sexual assault cases came third. "We also receive a lot of cases related to physical torture and some of them have been publicized in newspapers," said Al-Razine. He referred to the cases of Areej from Jeddah, who was tortured to death by her father and stepmother; Ghasoon, a girl from Makkah; and Imtinan, 19, and Um Kulthoom, 7, who were tortured by their father and stepmother. Al-Razine called for respecting the views of girls before their marriage, adding that it is better than pushing them into indulging in immoral activities. Lt. Col. Abdullah Dhafran of Asir police also presented a paper at the seminar. "Statistics from courts and the offices of human rights societies reflect that the number of domestic violence cases are growing in the Kingdom and has drawn world attention." He said police have been instructed to arrest those involved in such crimes after collecting evidence, and give protection to victims of violence. Arab News learned that 64 family violence cases were reported last year in the Asir province alone.