Cases of physical violence saw slight uptick in first half of 2023

AMMAN — In the first half of this year, officials have recorded 1,320 cases of physical violence, according to the Director of the Family and Juvenile Protection Department, Brig. Gen. Saed Al Qatawneh.

Qatawneh confirmed that this year there has been a slight increase in cases of violence compared with the same period last year, in which 1,273 cases were recorded. The director attributed the uptick to incidents connected to "cyberspace”.

Qatawneh, in a press statement, said that there has also been a significant increase in the number of reports of violence from a third party, adding that the administration has 28,000 communications through 10 reporting methods since the beginning of this year. 

The director also stressed that the statistics do not accurately reflect the reality of domestic violence cases, noting that there are unregistered cases of violence that never come into contact with legal frameworks or law enforcement officers.

The Family and Juvenile Protection Department has 17 departments, as well as an official presence in Syrian refugee camps.

Commenting on these numbers, sociologist Hussein Al Khozahe told The Jordan Times that an absence of emotional closeness among family members can lead to an increase in physical violence.

Khozahe also named difficult economic circumstances as a culprit behind physical violence, noting that the unemployment rate stands at around 24 per cent among married couples. Some individuals experience anger due to an inability to provide some needs or the inability to repay debts, which is often vented physically, he said. 

“We need to educate young people who are about to get married on the importance of preserving the family, and instilling values ​​of cooperation and keeping one’s distance from violence,” he added. Khozahe suggested that anti-violence awareness should be taught in schools and universities, as well as in the media.