Rabat's Regional Commission Addresses Surge in Violence: Processing Over 588 Complaints

Saturday 30 December 2023 - 10:08

In the ongoing battle against the pervasive issue of violence against women, Rabat's regional commission for assisting female victims of violence has emerged as a steadfast force. The commission revealed that it has diligently handled a staggering number of 588 complaints since the inception of Law 13.103 a trailblazing legislation aimed at combating such atrocities.

During a significant gathering held on Thursday to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the implementation of Law 13.103, Lamia Bensalama, the esteemed president of the regional commission, took center stage. She unveiled an all-encompassing overview of the complaints meticulously recorded throughout the past half-decade. The figures unveiled were as follows: 130 complaints in 2019, 95 in 2020, 145 in 2021, 129 in 2022, and 106 complaints thus far in the year 2023.

Delving deeper into the nature of these grievances, Bensalama shed light on their harrowing details. Among the recorded cases, a distressing 284 instances were related to rape, 54 pertained to attempted rape, 53 involved abduction and kidnapping, and 27 complaints encapsulated violations of dignity. Furthermore, the commission has dealt with 16 cases of attempted murder, 15 complaints of assault causing permanent disability, 15 instances associated with human trafficking, one murder complaint, and a staggering total of 140 complaints encompassing various other forms of violence.

Bensalama passionately emphasized the pivotal role played by the regional support cell in implementing measures that ensure the provision of effective care for women in need. She underscored the significance of Law 13.103 in enabling stakeholders to identify and combat acts and behaviors that perpetuate violence against women.

Enacted in September 2018, Law 13.103, also known as the Law Concerning the Fight Against Violence Towards Women, stands as a formidable legal framework designed to tackle the multifaceted layers of violence faced by women. Embracing four crucial pillars prevention, protection, non-impunity, and the proper care of victims the law strives to provide comprehensive legal protection for women who have fallen victim to violence, ushering in a new era marked by justice, empowerment, and compassionate support.