Domestic violence was behind 1,427 divorce lawsuits in three emirates with 114 filed in Abu Dhabi, 669 in Ras Al Khaimah and 644 in Sharjah last year, Fatima Jassim Al Hayas, Director of Women and Children Shelter in Ras Al Khaimah disclosed.

Addressing a workshop on the institutional framework for supporting victims of domestic violence held on Wednesday under the auspices of Mariam Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of social Affairs, she attributed the low number of cases in Abu Dhabi to the spread of institutions which assume social awareness like Family Development Organisation and social support centres.

Khaleej TimesFatima, who is also acting Director of Women and Children Shelter in Sharjah, said that the foremost causes of break up between married couples were desertion, excessive nervousness, insult, physical abuse, skepticism, age disparity, jealousy and weak religious faith.

“Causes that lead to domestic violence make the family adopt alien customs,” she said, adding that economic collapse, social pressure, unmatched marriage, alcohol consumption as well as the difference between old and new generations result in creating conflict between partners and eventually lead to domestic violence.

The workshop participants suggested a slew of recommendations with a call for speeding up issuance of laws related to child protection and publishing the names , photographs or personal details of victimised kids in media. They also called for laying down clear provisions in the law making domestic violence a punishable offence within the social framework.