Slapping Wives For Over-Spending OK In Arabia

Glamour has a doozy of a third-world women's rights issue story. Essentially, a judge in the Kingdom Of Saud (that's Saudi Arabia to you and me, kids) ruled that a husband is well within his right to slap his wife if she spends too much money (particularly on her burqa, which she, you know, has to wear). Please Read: Where Divorce Means Risking Death

Judge Hamed Al-Razine also said that offensive language and indecent behavior were also just causes for five fingers to say hello to the face. Interestingly (per CNN), the judge's comments were delivered from not from a pulpit or a bench but during a seminar on domestic violence. Since there typically aren't seminars in favor of domestic violence, it's probably a safe bet that Judge Al-Razine didn't know his audience well. 

Judge Al-Razine goes on to say that both genders bear some amount of responsibility in the case of domestic violence. Presumably, he's talking about traditional, male-on-female domestic violence, it seems like any other kind of familial fisticuffs would be pretty taboo in that section of the world (cuz there're no gays in Iran, buddy). Despite coming from a guy who condones goon-handing one's wife, he is right about domestic violence being the responsibility of both partners (at least in most cases). Though it's fair to guess that he's coming from the "she was asking for it" school of thought, repeat domestic violence isn't solely the fault of either party.

That's not meant to lionize the attacker or vilify the vic. But long-term abusive relationships (verbally, physically, emotionally, intellectually, sexually) involve aggressor(s) and enabler(s) working in concert. While there many cases in which a victim can't just leave (particularly in underdeveloped parts of the world like Port Charles, New York), most people do have options.

Hopefully, a judge who appreciates the "need to put a woman in her place," has unwittingly galvanized abusees to take active steps toward ending their torment (ideally, without the need to study Krav Maga like Jennifer Lopez in Enough).

If you have any domestic abuse questions, problems or concerns, please check out ndvh.org and reach out for some help.