In this Law, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:

• 1. Child: Any person under the age of 18.

• 2. Abuse: All types of child abuse and exploitation, or threatening thereof, including:

  • - Physical abuse: Exposing a child to physical harm or injury.

  • - Psychological abuse: Exposing a child to maltreatment which may cause psychological harm or harm to his health.

  • - Sexual abuse: Exposing a child to any type of sexual assault, harm, or exploitation.

• 3. Neglect: Failure to provide a child with basic needs including: physical, emotional, psychological, educational, intellectual, social, and cultural needs, in addition to those related to health, upbringing, safety, and security.

• 4. Regulations: The Implementing Regulations of this Law.

• 5. Relevant Authorities: The authorities concerned with child protection, as set forth in the Implementing Regulations.

This Law aims to:

• 1. Emphasize the stipulations of Sharia and applicable laws as well as international conventions to which the Kingdom is party, which uphold children’s rights and protect children against all forms of abuse and neglect.

• 2. Protect children against all forms of abuse and neglect, and the manifestations thereof to which they may be exposed in their surrounding environment (home, school, neighborhood, public places, welfare and rehabilitation facilities, foster families, public and private institutions, or the like) whether committed by a person who has guardianship, responsibility, or authority over the child, or a person related thereto, or by any other person.

• 3. Guarantee the rights of abused or neglected children by providing them with necessary care.

• 4. Raise awareness of children’s rights, especially those related to protection against child abuse and neglect.

The following shall be deemed cases of child abuse or neglect:

• 1. Leaving a child without family support.

• 2. Failing to obtain or maintain a child’s identification documents, or withholding the same.

• 3. Failing to complete a child’s compulsory vaccinations.

• 4. Causing interruption to a child’s education.

• 5. Exposing a child to unsafe environments.

• 6. Maltreatment.

• 7. Sexually harassing a child or exposing him to sexual exploitation.

• 8. Exploiting a child financially or forcing him into criminal activities or beggary.

• 9. Using abusive language to humiliate or degrade a child.

• 10. Exposing a child to obscene and criminal scenes or other scenes inappropriate for his age.

• 11. Discriminating against children for racial, social, or economic reasons.

• 12. Obvious and continuous negligence in raising and caring for a child.

• 13. Allowing a child under the legal driving age to drive a vehicle.

• 14. Any act that may threaten the safety or physical or psychological well-being of a child.

A child shall be considered at risk of delinquency in any of the following cases:

• 1. Practicing beggary or any illicit act.

• 2. Rebelling against the control of a parent or caretaker.

• 3. Regularly escaping from home or from any rehabilitation or housing facility.

• 4. Regularly sleeping in places not designated for sleeping or lodging.

• 5. Regularly visiting socially or morally suspicious places, or places not appropriate for his age, or mingling with homeless or corrupt people.

• 6. Carrying out activities related to prostitution, gambling, drugs, or the like, or providing services to people engaged in such activities.

A child shall always have the priority to protection, care, and relief.

A child shall have the right to protection against all forms of abuse or neglect.