Violence victims now vocal
1,310 cases reported to Batelco centre last year
Victims of domestic violence have become more vocal.
A total of 1,310 cases were registered at the Batelco Centre for Domestic Violence last year. That represents an average of three cases a day. In 2005, about 1,100 victims sought the centre’s help.
The centre provided shelter for 586 victims as required by their cases. Some needed treatment for injuries.
“Cases kept on coming. Some victims needed complete therapy and counselling,” the head of the centre, Dr. Bana Buzaboon, told the Tribune yesterday. Victims were given individual or group therapy.
Violence victims now vocal
1,310 cases reported to Batelco centre last year
Victims of domestic violence have become more vocal.
A total of 1,310 cases were registered at the Batelco Centre for Domestic Violence last year. That represents an average of three cases a day. In 2005, about 1,100 victims sought the centre’s help.
The centre provided shelter for 586 victims as required by their cases. Some needed treatment for injuries.
“Cases kept on coming. Some victims needed complete therapy and counselling,” the head of the centre, Dr. Bana Buzaboon, told the Tribune yesterday. Victims were given individual or group therapy.
“The number is high, yes. But it shows the victims are coming out in the open and seeking help. They are aware that domestic violence cannot be ignored,” she said.
Cases include physical or verbal abuse, exploitation and discrimination. But nine out of 10 involved women beaten up by their husbands.
Dr. Buzaboon said the women who sought help at the shelter were “mostly Bahrainis.”
“We had a few Indians, Americans and Europeans, all nationalities but the cases were mostly Bahrainis,” said Dr. Buzaboon who also spearheads a local movement to fight domestic violence.
The government as well as non-governmental organisations have supported initiatives to increase awareness about domestic violence.
Last year, the Supreme Council for Women launched campaigns to encourage victims to seek help from professionals.
The Batelco Centre for Domestic Violence was established only in late 2004.
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com