UAE | Crime
Police accused of failing to probe attack
Man says he called 999 when he saw his neighbour beating his wife, but officers told him to mind his own business
- By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter, and Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:09 March 24, 2009
Dubai: A Dubai resident who reported a case of domestic violence says he was asked by the police not to meddle in matters between a husband and wife.
The resident, who requested anonymity, said he thought it was his social responsibility to call the police when he saw his neighbour beating his wife in the corridor of his building during the middle of the night.
"But I was taken aback when police asked me to mind my own business," he told Gulf News.
The man said he heard shouts and screams in the corridor at around midnight on Sunday. When he came out of his apartment, he saw his neighbour raining blows on his wife and showering her with abuse.
"He was slapping her, kicking her and pulling her hair. I could not ignore it for long because the woman was not in a position to defend herself and the husband kept on battering her.
"I called 999, the police arrived shortly and I went downstairs hoping that they would come up and take some action against the man.
"But one of the policemen asked me whether my neighbour was beating up my wife. When I explained what was happening, the police simply told me that the matter was between husband and wife and I need not interfere," the Al Ghusais resident said.
He added that repeated pleas for the police to take action fell on deaf ears, with the officers refusing to even step foot in the building.
When Gulf News contacted Dubai police, they said that since domestic violence is a highly sensitive issue, they prefer to respond only to incidents reported by the parties involved.
"But in matters of extreme violence, we do encourage community members to report the matter to the police so that we can take appropriate action. We are careful in interfering between couples because it may worsen the problem," said Colonel Omar Al Shamsi, Director of the Operations Department at Dubai Police.
Your comments
If indeed the incident was taking place, the police should've at least tried to stop the battering because it was a form of public disturbance as it was happening in a building corridor. I have heard of people being approached by the police for simply being "too noisy" merrymaking at night (oftentimes complained by neighbours). Why then was public violence allowed?
Antonio Agustin JR.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2009, 13:14
Can someone explain what could be the exact meaning of "extreme violence". If it does not cover "slapping, kicking and pulling the hair"???
Faris Nabil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2009, 13:08
"We are careful in interfering between couples because it may worsen the problem"?? How much worse can the problems get for the woman if she is beaten up by her husband, the person who is supposed to protect her and care for her? In many counties this Police officer's behaviour falls under negligence, which is an offence.
Nina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2009, 12:48
If it was happening in the apartment, yes I could say it is not anybody?s business. But in the corridor of the building is everybody?s responsibility to report it. For example, if you see a robber in the corridor do you report it, or not? Of course you do. So please, with my full respect, let us wake up .
Thank you.
Daniel Daoud
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2009, 12:30
I can not believe the reaction from Dubai Police officers!!!! I think the police forces in around the world are there to serve
Ghalya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2009, 11:11
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