Short brief about Family Protection Department:

 The domestic Violence Protection Department has been established under Ministerial Resolution No. 1/10771/SH on 01/03/1425 AH. It is the authority concerned with the protection against domestic violence of all forms of exploitation; physical, psychological, or sexual mistreatment, or the threat thereof committed by an individual against another exceeding the limits of the powers and responsibilities derived from guardianship, dependency, sponsorship, trusteeship, or livelihood relationships.

The term "abuse" shall include the omission or negligence of an individual in the performance of his duties or responsibilities in providing basic needs for a family member or an individual for whom he is legally responsible.

Further, the family protection units have been established under the Royal Order No. 48539/B dated 08/12/1429 AH, which are specialized in responding to domestic violence across the Kingdom.

Domestic Violence reports are received via Domestic Violence Reporting Center across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and within the family. The Center also has trained and highly qualified psychologists and social workers to provide advice for callers at 1919 on a 24/7 basis in strict confidentiality.

Department Functions:

  • Coordination with HRSD branches in different areas regarding the reports on types of abuse or violence, studying the reasons, and developing the appropriate treatment plans
  • Establishment of a database on the abuse suffered by certain members of society
  • Development of roles, policies, and criteria for work in centers and social houses and follow up the application of the same after approval
  • Studying the social problems that lead to violence and abuse in Saudi society in coordination with the National Center for Social Studies (NCSS)
  • Coordination with the relevant (governmental and civil) authorities that deal with domestic violence issues in Saudi society
  • Supervising the Domestic Violence Reporting Center 1919
  • Monitoring the social phenomenon and problems faced by the family and referral of the same to the National Center for Social Studies (NCSS) for studying
  • Implementing any other tasks assigned within its scope of work

Department Regulations:

  • Law of Protection from Abuse promulgated under the Royal Decree No. (M/52) dated 15/11/1434 AH
  • Implementing Regulation of the Law of Protection from Abuse issued under Ministerial Resolution No. (43047) dated 08/05/1435 AH
  • Child Protection Law promulgated under Royal Decree No. (M/14) dated 03/02/1436 AH.
  • Implementing Regulation of the Child Protection Law issued under Ministerial Resolution No. (56386) dated 16/06/1436 AH

Family Protection Department Goals:

  • Raising the society awareness about the damages of violence via advertising campaigns to prevent domestic violence.
  • Developing laws and regulations and following up on their application is consistent with KSA laws and international conventions.
  • Working on the geographical coverage of protection centers, shelters, and centers for the protection of children at risk of abuse or negligence across the Kingdom in coordination with HRSD branches in different areas.
  • Concluding memoranda of cooperation and agreements with the relevant authorities regarding protection from abuse and child protection.
  • Developing work mechanisms by developing unified procedural guidelines for quality.
  • Determining the training needs of those working on family protection and upgrading their levels.
  • Following up on the progress of reports and technical procedures taken concerning the report in coordination with the Reporting Center.
  • Developing the information base on family protection and providing reliable statistical information.
  • Coordinating all efforts made by the other supporting authorities to give effect to the protection and communicate with them to serve the protection cases.

Family Protection Department Programs:

  • Programs and activities carried out in shelters and hospitality centers
  • Joining the employees to ongoing workshops and courses on domestic violence.
  • Protection Friends Program (Volunteering)
  • Advertising Awareness Campaigns.
  • Partnership with the third sector to provide legal consultancy and guidelines.

Family Protection Department Initiatives:

  • Development of an integrated package of services to cover the needs of victims and abused persons.
  • Partnership with the third sector to increase the geographical coverage of the social protection authorities.
  • Development of mechanisms of cooperation among all authorities concerned with domestic violence.
  • Development of Domestic Violence Reporting and Child Protection Center.
  • Development of awareness campaigns to prevent society from domestic violence
  • Project of reviewing the Implementing Regulation of Law of Protection from Abuse and Child Protection Law
  • Project of Empowering the Female Patients of Social Hospitality Houses

Department Projects:

  • Development of an integral package of services to cover the needs of victims and abused persons.
  • Partnership with the third sector to increase the geographical coverage of the social protection authorities.
  • Development of mechanisms of cooperation among all authorities concerned with domestic violence.
  • Development of Domestic Violence Reporting and Child Protection Center.
  • Development of awareness campaigns to prevent society from domestic violence
  • Project of reviewing the Implementing Regulation of Law of Protection from Abuse and Child Protection Law
  • Project of Empowering the Female Patients of Social Hospitality Houses

Reporting Channels: 

Our Partners: 

  • Ministry of Interior.
  • Ministry of Justice.
  • Public Prosecution.
  • Ministry of Health.
  • Ministry of Education.
  • Alwaleed Philanthropies.
  • Faisal Talaa Al Hajlah Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Law Firm.
  • Al-Mawada Charity.