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Article 23 bis of the Saudi Child Protection Law

المادة 23 مكرر من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الخامس: الإبلاغ والنظر في مخالفة النظام ولائحته ووقت العمل به

The article punishes the crime of abusing a child with imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to SAR 100,000, increases it in specific cases, doubles it for repeat offenses, and punishes the instigator, the person who agrees and the person who assists.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

- أضيفت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/72) وتاريخ 1443/8/6هـ، و تنص على الآتي:

1- مع مراعاة ماتقضي به الفقرة (2) من هذه المادة، ودون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد مقررة شرعاً أو نظاماً، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (سنتين) وبغرامة لا تزيد على (مائة) ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من ارتكب فعلاً شكل جريمة من أفعال الإيذاء الواردة في المادة (الأولى) من هذا النظام. وللمحكمة المختصة إصدار عقوبة بديلة للعقوبات السالبة للحرية.

2- تكون عقوبة الجريمة المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة السجن مدة لا تقل عن (سنتين) ولا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات، وغرامة لا تقل عن (مائة) ألف ريال ولا تزيد على (خمسمائة) ألف ريال، في حالة اقتران الجريمة بأي مما يأتي:

أ- إن كان من وقع عليه الإيذاء من الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة.

ب- إن وقع الإيذاء في مكان العمل أو الدراسة أو الرعاية أو العبادة.

ج- إن وقع الإيذاء ممن يناط بهم تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام.

د- إن وقع الإيذاء مقروناً باستخدام أحد الأسلحة.

هـ- إن تعددت أفعال الإيذاء في الواقعة.

3- تضاعف العقوبة الموقعة في حالة العود.

4- يعاقب كل من حرض غيره أو اتفق معه أو ساعده بأي صورة من صور التحريض أو الاتفاق أو المساعدة على ارتكاب الجريمة المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، بالعقوبة المقررة للجريمة".

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 23 bis explained in plain English

This article was added by Royal Decree No. M/72 dated 6/8/1443 AH, and it sets the penalties for abusing a child, without prejudice to any more severe penalty prescribed by Sharia or law.

The basic penalty (paragraph 1): anyone who commits an act constituting a crime of abuse listed in Article 1, that is, physical, psychological or sexual mistreatment or exploitation or the threat of it, is punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or one of them. The competent court may issue an alternative penalty to custodial penalties.

The increased penalty (paragraph 2): the penalty becomes imprisonment from two to 5 years and a fine from SAR 100,000 to SAR 500,000 if the crime is accompanied by any of the following:

  • The victim of the abuse has a disability.
  • The abuse occurs in the workplace, school, place of care or place of worship.
  • It is committed by those entrusted with applying the provisions of this Law.
  • It is accompanied by the use of a weapon.
  • The acts of abuse in the incident are multiple.

Note that paragraph 2 combines imprisonment and a fine, and does not provide for either one alone as paragraph 1 does.

Repeat offenses (paragraph 3): the penalty imposed is doubled in the case of a repeat offense.

Accomplices (paragraph 4): anyone who incites another, agrees with another or assists in any form in committing the crime is punished with the penalty prescribed for it.

Setting the penalty in each incident is for the competent court, so anyone facing an accusation or wanting to file a complaint should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.

Practical example

A worker at a children's care home beats a child. Because the abuse occurred in a place of care, the increased penalty applies: imprisonment from two to 5 years and a fine from SAR 100,000 to SAR 500,000, and anyone who assisted in that is punished with the same penalty.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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Frequently asked questions about Article 23 bis of the Saudi Child Protection Law

What is the penalty for child abuse in Saudi Arabia?

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or one of them. The court may issue an alternative penalty to custodial penalties, without prejudice to any more severe penalty.

When is the penalty for child abuse increased?

If the child has a disability, the abuse occurs in the workplace, school, place of care or place of worship, it is committed by those entrusted with applying the Law, it involves a weapon, or the acts of abuse are multiple. The penalty then becomes imprisonment from two to 5 years and a fine from SAR 100,000 to SAR 500,000.

What is the penalty for repeatedly abusing a child?

The penalty imposed is doubled in the case of a repeat offense.

Is someone who incited the abuse of a child punished?

Yes. The instigator, the person who agrees and the person who assists are punished with the penalty prescribed for the crime.

Articles this article refers to

More articles on Penalty for Child Abuse

The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.