Published: 09/18/2006 |
Qatar to Have First Shelter for Domestic Abuse Victims |
By Barbara Bibbo',
Correspondent |
Doha: Qatar will soon have its first ever facility and shelter for
women and children who are victims of abuse. Two facilities, a specialised centre for health and psychological
treatment of victims and a shelter, will be set up, said the head of the
Qatar Foundation for Women and Children's Protection. "The centre will provide victims with medical and psychological care,
legal assistance and refer them to the shelter, if needed," Farida
Abdullah Al Obaidly told Gulf News. "It will be the first time victims will receive all the services they
will be able to file a police report to denounce the violence, receive
medical care, legal consultancy, all at one place." A committee of five experts is studying the implementation of the
projects. According to the data provided by the foundation, 21 women and 128
children reported cases of abuse to the foundation in 2004. Farida said the cases included not only sexual violence and harassment,
physical abuse and psychological violence, but also lack of education and
health care or financial distress. She said the foundation is open to all victims, regardless of their
nationality. Such a centre where victims can report issues will help diminish
stress, Farida said. In addition, the authorities will be able to have a database on family
abuse and violence in the country The main challenge, Farida said, is to reach out to victims. "Many
cases of abuse go unreported" as lots of women still hide domestic
violence and are afraid or ashamed of disclosing their ordeal. Cases of violence have been on the rise - The first six months of 2006 reported 128 cases of abuse against
women and 90 against children. - In 2005, 178 cases involving women and 459 involving children were
reported. - In 2004, the figures were lower with 21 cases involving women and 128
cases involving
children. |