Organisations discuss roles in updated family protection framework

AMMAN — Organisations concerned with family protection on Saturday discussed the updated version of the National Framework for Family Protection, which outlines the intervention roles of different institutions.

The developed framework tackles measures to deal with cases of abuse, starting from reporting the incident until fully addressing it.

“We focus in the framework on the clear participatory relationship with civil society organisations and their exact role in dealing with cases of domestic violence,” Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan said at a meeting with representatives of several institutions, including the Jordanian Women’s Union (JWU) and the Public Security Department’s Family Protection Administration. 

Participants discussed the role of each institution under the updated framework.

Discussions also covered the draft family protection law, which is now in the hands of the Lower House’s joint women and legal committee.

“I disagree with the provision that forces us to report cases of domestic violence even if the victim refuses to. They resorted to us while they can simply go directly to police and that means they prefer not to take the issue to the authorities,” noted JWU Director Nadia Shamroukh.

Under the draft law, institutions should report all cases of violence involving children under 18 and adults subjected to felonies to the police.

Adults with “minor assaults” have the choice not to report their cases.

Institutions that fail to report cases will face imprisonment and be fined, under the draft law.

Abu Hassan noted that more meetings will be held to discuss the issue in question in order to ensure the maximum protection of victims of abuse.

The framework was developed in a way that engages victims of abuse in all the stages of handling their cases, while a qualified coordinator will be responsible for each case, according to the ministry.