HM King issues Law 17/2015

Manama, Aug. 6 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Law 17/2015 for the prevention of, and protection from, familial violence. The law stipulated general provisions, terminology definition and types violence. The law stipulated the protection order from the public prosecution, the relevant court or investigation judge to protect victims under the conditions of this law. The also stipulated the creation of Familial Guidance Directorate to provide guidance and awareness services through various centres and offices. The law prohibits any natural, corporate or private persons from opening family guidance centres apart from the Ministry's offices except after obtaining the requisite license from the ministry in accordance with the terms and procedures specified in the Minister's resolution in this regard. The competent technical agencies in the Ministry will inspect non-governmental or private familial guidance centres to verify their compliance with the provisions of this law and resolutions in implementation thereof. The Ministewr of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments in consort with the minister shall issue a resolution assigning the relevant technical agencies the power of judicial control officers. The ministry shall provide services and take measures to curb familial violence in coordination and cooperation with all official institutions each in its relevant domain as follows: 1- Increase public awareness about the dangerous impact of familial violence. 2- Provide and publish sufficient information about familial guidance service, remedy, rehabilitation, accommodation and whence these can be obtained. 3- Provision of the necessary homes to accommodate victims of familial violence. 4- Provision of psychological, social and health guidance and rehabilitation service to the victims and assaulters. 5- Provision of legal assistance to victims whenever needed. 6- Follow up criminal lawsuits related to familial violence at courts. 7- Provision of specialized training, lectures to employees assigned the task of implementing this law, judges and public prosecution staff. 8- Publishing data related to familial violence, its prevention to curb familial violence without infringement upon personal privacy or freedoms. 9- Encouragement and support of scientific research studies on familial violence. 10- Designating a hotline to receive reports, complaints related to familial violence cases. 11- Setup national indicators to monitor, measure cases of familial violence in coordination with the relevant bodies. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of clause (9) of the Criminal Procedures Law or any other law, any victim of familial violence or any member of their family has the right to report the incidence of familial violence. Anyone who has knowledge about the occurrence of familial violence by virtue of their medical or educational profession or job must report it to the Public Prosecution or Police Station. The law specified the relevant penalties and other provisions related to familial violence, its prevention, remedying, rehabilitation of victims and assaulters.