SCW organises awareness programme on Protection Against Domestic Violence Law

Manama: The Supreme Council for Women (SCW), in collaboration with the Bahrain Medical Society, organized an awareness programme addressing " Protection Against Domestic Violence Law and Doctors' Legal Responsibilities". The aim was to raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence, the necessary actions to take when it occurs, and the importance of the Domestic Violence Protection Law as a key part of Bahrain's advanced legislative framework. The programme also highlighted the legal and ethical responsibilities of doctors in reporting cases of domestic violence. Dr. Amal Al Ghanem, Vice President of the Bahrain Medical Society, welcomed attendees and emphasised the importance of clarifying the procedural steps needed to protect individuals from domestic violence, as well as the roles of all relevant parties in implementation. She commended the leadership role of the SCW, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, in executing awareness and training programmes that contri bute to increasing community awareness. Lawyer Ilham Hassan gave a presentation defining domestic violence as any act of harm occurring within the family by one member against another. She explained that domestic violence can be physical, psychological, sexual, or economic. She noted that Article (8) of the law, which grants any family member or victim the right to report domestic violence and requires professionals in medical or educational fields to report such cases to the public prosecutor or police. Hassan highlighted that Article (12) mandates police stations to transfer victims to the nearest hospital or health centre for treatment when necessary, and to shelters operated by the Ministry of Social Development. Article (14) requires the public prosecutor to prepare a report detailing the incident, including the time and place it occurred, the informant's details, and the type of violence involved. She also discussed the concept of a protection order, which is issued by the public prosecutor or relev ant court to protect the victim under legal conditions. Additionally, Law No. 4 of 2021 regarding restorative justice for children and their protection from abuse, which includes the doctor's responsibility to report child abuse cases. Participants discussed various obstacles at both planning and implementation levels, as well as the low community awareness of the Protection Against Domestic Violence Law and the doctor's role in handling such cases. They commended Bahrain's progress in protecting human rights and preserving the dignity of citizens and residents through constitutional and legal frameworks, alongside its commitment to international human rights agreements and the rejection of violence. Source: Bahrain News Agency