JEDDAH – Fears have been expressed that some young women seeking refuge in the Social Care Home may not be entirely sincere in their motives nor in genuine need of care.
Concerns have arisen following a court’s verdict to dismiss the case of a Jeddah care home resident who had claimed harassment on the part of her father. The trial revealed that the girl had conspired with her divorced mother against the father.
In another example, a girl sought refuge at the home after her father had refused to buy her a new mobile phone.
Complaints have also been received that the home allows its tenants to go out unsupervised for shopping trips and other forms of recreation and some are keen to see the banning of all outside excursions, saying that the home is in danger of becoming a safe-house for girls who rebel against their families.
Officials at the center say “it is not a prison”, and that anyone breaking the rules is referred to the appropriate authorities.
Most tenants have heart-rending tales to tell, such as Umm Muhammad, a divorcee, who suffered violence from her father and brothers. Her father, a drug addict, would beat her and take her money, as did her brothers who followed his path to drug addiction and unemployment. Appealing to the Jeddah governor’s office, she was given care and protection by the Social Care Home.
Another example is that of a girl who sought refuge after her father stopped her from marrying. He reportedly hit her, confined her to the family home, and forced her to resign from her job. The only time she was allowed out was in Ramadan when she went with her father to Makkah, and it was then that she took the opportunity to flee. - Okaz