Every time I hear about a husband beating or abusing his wife in Lebanon, I keep asking myself why don’t the victim’s parents and friends do anything about it. I understand that some women are too afraid to speak up, but Sara al-Amin is not one of them and was filing a lawsuit against her husband for allegedly beating her over two decades! Unfortunately, Ali al-Zein shot his wife Sara al-Amin dead using an assault riffle after hearing that she’s pressing charges and fled the house. He was later on caught by the police.
via Kafa
Needless to say, this is a horrendous crime and everyone wants justice and is asking for the husband to be sentenced to death, but this is not enough and won’t get us anywhere. Even having a law that protects women from abusive husbands is not enough if society doesn’t step in to protect the victim. I am not here to judge the victim’s family or neighbors or friends, but to encourage them to take proper action next time they witness domestic violence and do whatever it takes to keep the victim safe and help her speak up. If you watch the below report, Sarah’s neighbor was trying to reconcile the couple and convinced her to go back to her husband, and Sarah’s father stated he wouldn’t have let her come back to her husband if he knew he had a gun. Both of them were obviously trying to help Sarah but should have called the cops or some local NGO like KAFA to ensure Sarah’s safety, even if it’s against her will because she was obviously more worried about her children than herself.
Men who still think like this guy should be thrown in jail – via Kafa
A man who beats his wife or his children for 20 years won’t stop anytime soon unless he’s jailed or severely punished. I know a guy who went and beat the hell out of his sister’s husband because he was hitting her and it worked but that’s not the right way. Friends, family and neighbors should be pressuring the authorities to arrest an abusive husband before he commits his crime not after, and the cops should put under arrest a man beating his wife before he kills her not after. This whole “Keeping it in the family” thing should stop because the victims always end up being the highest price.
Having said that, please do report any case of domestic violence you witness and try to help the victim while keeping her safe. Sarah was brave enough to file a lawsuit against her husband, but there are hundreds if not thousands of other Lebanese women too afraid to speak up. As far as the ISF is concerned, Kafa has already trained over 100 ISF members on how to handle domestic abuse cases but further action is needed to make the victims feel safe and able to go back home and not be threatened by their abusive husbands.
Kafa’s hotline is 03018019 and the ISF can be reached on 112.
[YouTube]
“7a ybatil yshrab” kids alcohol is evil, dont do alcohol.
I know many Lebanese men who don’t even touch alcohol yet they are abusive to their wives.
The problem is that Lebanese families shame their women into keeping marital abuse hidden. They are afraid of the stigma it will bring their family name to have a divorced/separated woman in their families. This shame trumps their so collard love for their daughters and sisters. They blame the women who are themselves victims as not being able to sustain a marriage and they make them out to be selfish if they file a charge or any legal action.
Until this mentality changes, women will continue to be victims.
agree, but in this case he shot 17 shots at her and laughed, he was either then drunk or mental. Alcohol can definitely in risk of irresponsible behavior, each body reacts to it differently
It’s the culture. BS machismo and unfortunately addle headed thinking that women are a thing; not someone they married and loved.
The idea to stay married in spite of the abuse for the “sake of the kids” and mistakenly accepting that as a compromise of keeping a family together has to be erased! Laws have to change to be a necessary deterrent for abuse. However; I think the “priests” and “mullahs” who run the country will not allow this.
Pathetic!
nothing to do with Priests and mullahs.
more to do with selfish attitude.
sone people will take better care of their tv
than their wife
Rara
Seriously? Who grants the divorces in Lebanon? Who is stopping from stricter laws against abuse being legislated?
Stop being an ostrich!
anyone can seperate their spouse in lebanon champ.
you dont need a religious figure gain approval of this.
why are you blaming the domestic violence on people other than the people who are commiting it. why are you giving them an excuse.
if all religions change their ‘laws’ it wouldnt stop domestic violence.
p.s. dont cry bro
rara,
I don’t know what the heck you are ranting about. Read my comments before you drivel.
Yup; everything is roses in Lebanon. Civil marriage; no religious interference; no “dishonor” killings. Strict laws against spousal abuse! Yup; Lebanon is all set, except those very few poor souls who shoot their wives.. Wallaw? NP.
Gianni,
you get fired up too easy. i did read your comments. Lebanon is not all roses. domestic violence is a massive issue but not just in Lebanon. all im saying is that you cant blame religion/religious figures for what is going on. The issue extends beyond that.
probably not gna agree so just have a coke and smile.
good blog by the way