SIGI calls for boosting guidance programmes after report shows heightened crime activity

AMMAN — Murder crimes in Jordan went up by 32.5 per cent and attempted murders by 3.2 per cent in 2019 compared with 2018, the Solidarity is Global Institute (SIGI) said on Wednesday.

Citing the 2019 criminal statistical report issued by the criminal information department, SIGI said in a statement that a total of 294 attempted murder crimes were perpetrated in 2019, compared with 285 crimes in 2018.

Murder crimes in 2019 totalled 118, up from 89 cases in 2018, SIGI added.

In 2019, a total of 21 family murder cases were filed against women and girls, constituting 17.8 per cent of the total cases filed during that year, according to a SIGI report monitoring crimes published in various media outlets.

SIGI called for intensifying guidance, social, health and legal assistance programmes with a focus on psychological aspects, which it said "have not received enough attention" as an "important indicator" of violent actions and behaviour. 

Economic factors, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, also necessitate expanding services to include financial and vocational guidance for people who ask for assistance.

Other activities, including family reconciliation programmes and family mediation to solve domestic crises and problems before crimes take place, must also be implemented, SIGI said.