«الموارد» لـ«عكاظ»: التهديد بالطلاق والتحكم المفرط.. «عنف أسري»

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development revealed that threats of divorce, deprivation of children, forced isolation, excessive control over one spouse's freedom, restrictions on movement, in addition to repeated verbal insults and curses, all fall under forms of psychological and moral abuse.

The ministry confirmed, in response to inquiries from "Okaz," that these cases are handled by the Domestic Violence Reporting Center, starting with an initial assessment, classifying the level of danger, and then referring to family protection centers and immediate intervention in critical cases in coordination with security authorities. It added that the center works to provide shelter when needed, offer psychological and social support, and safety plans, alongside rehabilitative and preventive programs such as "Children's Recovery," "Family Preservation," and "Effective Communication."

Dr. Hamid Khalil Al-Shayji, an associate professor of criminology at King Saud University, explained that there is ignorance among some about the nature of domestic violence, as most people focus on physical violence due to its clear signs, while other equally serious forms, such as psychological and verbal violence, are overlooked. He emphasized that verbal violence often leads to a deterioration in the psychological state of the other party, pointing to various forms of it, such as emotional deprivation, excessive control, threats of divorce or deprivation of children, closing doors, preventing outings, shouting, cursing, and repeated insults, all of which are considered forms of psychological violence that are not taken seriously enough. He called for the need to educate spouses about all forms of domestic violence and their negative effects on family stability and their repercussions on society.

For her part, Dr. Hind Khalid Al-Dajani, an associate professor at King Saud University, clarified that the protection system against abuse in the Kingdom has confirmed that violence is not limited to physical harm or abuse but also includes psychological and financial abuse, in addition to neglect, threats, and exploitation. She stated that forms such as excessive control over one spouse's freedom or restricting their movement, threats of divorce or deprivation of children, and repeated insults all fall within the realm of domestic violence.

She indicated that the danger of this type of violence lies in its profound effects on family stability, as it instills fear and anxiety and undermines trust between spouses, leading to relationship fragility and an increased likelihood of disintegration. Additionally, children in such environments may be psychologically and behaviorally affected, developing negative coping patterns such as aggression or social withdrawal. She added that recognizing these practices as domestic violence contributes to raising societal awareness of their dangers and enhances a culture of respect and dialogue within the family, which helps maintain its cohesion and protects it from disintegration.