With the approach of celebrating Family Safety Day, on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, and its activities that will last for 5 consecutive days, the organizing committee at the Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs is continuing its efforts towards conducting this vital event under the slogan " Your family is Your Safety " The first day of the event will be commenced with seminar entitled " Family role in the renunciation of violence and terrorism", which will include lectures and scientific papers that reviews the national experience and scientific studies on the relationship of domestic violence and terrorism. The speakers will explain the role of the family in addressing violence and extremism to confront such behavior, and offers a comprehensive study on all legitimacy, security and social levels. The symposium will also include youth initiatives to explore suggestions and ideas about the programs and projects that are compatible with the way young adults think, to face any domestic violence, which in turn might lead to intellectual deviation that leads to terrorism.
Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Family Safety Day, H.E. Chief Executive Officer of Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Dr. Bandar Al Knawy, pointed out that the National Family Safety Program was established as a program that promotes community awareness of individuals and institutions towards domestic violence and its negative impact on society, and the enhancement of family security and integrity by providing prevention and support programs, raising awareness and building professional partnerships with specialists, civil institutions and international organizations to provide a safe family environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, Dr. Al Knawy highlighted the partnership importance with the various ministries and government institutions in defining the concept of family safety and its role in the protection of our society.
In addition, the National Family Safety Program Executive Director, Dr. Maha Al - Muneef explained that the abuse registry in the National Family Safety Program, which covers all ages up to 18 years old, registered a disturbing number of abuse cases, and that the majority of the victims of are Saudis by up to 86%, where Riyadh and the eastern region have the highest rates of family abuse. Emotional abuse make up 72%, physical abuse 35%, negligence 46% where 13% sexual abuse and psychological abuse make 6%. These cases affect both sexes, where the female cases are increasing in physical abuse and negligence. Infants and toddlers less than a year represents 20% of the total number and are the most of all age groups who are affected.
Moreover, Dr. Maha pointed out that there are several factors that increase the risk towards family safety such as 12% for the father unemployment, divorce by 11%. She also mentioned that last year, 18 child protection centers registered child abuse cases in only six regions of the thirteen regions Kingdom wide, which means that health professionals lack the skills to identify, detect and diagnose family abuse cases, not transferring the cases to child protection services or lack of reporting the cases in the National Registry.
Most importantly, Dr. Maha highlighted the significant role of the Family Safety Day in reinforcing the family security and safety, being the individual closest environment, and the building block upon which communities are built.