Nine-year-old victim of abuse hospitalized for second time in two years

Remas, 9, was a victim of abuse by her mother two years ago and, according to a report in Al-Watan daily, the child was abused again recently.

However, this time her mother claimed it was a domestic worker who abused and inflicted burns on the child’s body.

Remas, who is a third grade student at the 91st Elementary School in Jeddah, was noticed by teachers after she showed up to school with marks on her body.

Teachers took her to the Maternity and Children’s hospital in Al-Aziziah district where she was examined by doctors who discovered severe abuse and burn marks on her body. They notified police and social care workers.

The head of the protection home at Jeddah Social Affairs Directorate, Saleh Sarhan, said the directorate immediately formed a committee to investigate the case and follow up the child’s condition.

He said once the child recovers from her injuries, she will be placed at the social protection home until her case is discussed with her family.

The supervisor at the protection home, Ahmadyah Al-Ghamdi, said the child’s mother was separated from her husband and both parents have denied any wrongdoing. The mother has claimed a domestic worker abused Remas.

“We questioned the child and she denied that the domestic worker caused her these injuries. We have referred the case to the police,” she said while explaining that when the child was subjected to abuse two years ago at the hands of her mother, authorities intervened and her mother was asked to promise not to abuse the child.

Al-Ghamdi said strict action will be taken against the mother if it is proved that she abused Remas again.

The child’s father accuses his ex-wife, the child’s mother, of the abuse, and stressed that this was not the first time his daughter has been subjected to such abuse.

A police source said the father and mother have been subpoenaed for questioning and a report will be submitted to the governorate and to the concerned bodies so further action can be taken against the perpetrators.

This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette on Oct.26, 2014.