A new instance of monstrous child abuse has been revealed in Lebanon, the perpetrator this time being the victim’s step-mother.
Lebanese TV host and human rights activist Joe Maalouf posted on Tuesday a tweet wherein he shared pictures showing a girl with horrific marks of physical assault.
Despite being mostly blurred, the photos make it clear how severe the harm inflicted on the young Syrian girl by her step-mother is. Maalouf said he had received the photos on Monday night.
The activist added that he had called Judge Nazik Al-Khatib, “who acted quickly and instructed Ghazir Police Station to intervene and arrest the father and his wife.”
An investigation is underway under the supervision of Judge Al-Khatib, and the child’s statement will be heard in the presence of a social worker.
The file will then be transferred to the competent judicial authority to take the necessary measures to protect the victim, according to Maalouf.
“We thank the citizen who informed us, and we ask everyone who is aware of similar cases to communicate with us to move towards the judiciary, which will not be tolerant in holding accountable every aggressor against a minor and will protect them from abuse,” he said.
This incident comes just a few days after three children were saved by security forces from their family’s appalling torture and abuse. Cases of domestic violence and child abuse have been on the rise in Lebanon recently.
It is crucial for everyone to be part of the efforts to quell such crimes and report them to the authorities in order to protect children and hold those responsible for their harm accountable for their actions.
If you know any children who are victims of domestic violence, call the ISF Hotline 1745 or any of the following local organizations that can help. Contact HIMAYA +961 3 414 964, KAFA: +961 3 018 019, or ABAAD +961 81 78 81 78.