Family Safety Overview

Program Overview

All countries consider children's rights and safety a priority, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is no exception. Recent developments in the Kingdom have brought attention to programs that enhance the focus on domestic violence and all related matters such as child abuse and neglect. This aligns with the ambitious Vision 2030, which aims to establish a vibrant society and a thriving economy for an ambitious nation. Since 2002, the World Health Organization has recognized family safety and domestic violence as a global public health issue. Addressing this issue requires a multidisciplinary approach and building the capacities of professionals across all relevant sectors. In 2008, the Saudi Council of Ministers acknowledged that family safety and domestic violence are growing local issues and urged all agencies to take necessary preventive measures. Data from 2005 revealed that only 3% of professionals in the field had received training in managing family safety.
Since 2007, the National Family Safety Program (NFSP) has been offering various training courses to nearly ten thousand professionals across the country. However, the results of a national study in 2011 and a regional study in 2016 revealed a shortage of trained professionals in family and child safety, especially in abuse prevention.
This program is designed to enhance the capabilities of healthcare practitioners to become highly competent leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to promote domestic violence prevention and support future family safety efforts.

Mission of the Higher Diploma Program in Family Safety

To prepare competent practitioners in the field of family safety and domestic violence prevention by offering a regionally unique advanced diploma that integrates global cumulative knowledge, expert skills related to family safety and individual quality of life, and local, Arab, and Islamic cultural values—paving the way for a secure society aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitious vision.

Objectives of the Higher Diploma Program in Family Safety

• To graduate practitioners in the field of family safety and domestic violence prevention in line with national and global competency frameworks and current trends in the field.
• To produce practitioners capable of designing and implementing programs and activities that contribute to the development of family safety and domestic violence prevention initiatives.
• To develop family safety practitioners who can foster effective cooperation and coordination to enhance social protection in all its forms and mitigate the physical and mental health consequences of domestic violence.
• To cultivate passionate family safety practitioners who engage in continuous learning through evidence-based approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration in family safety and domestic violence prevention.

Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Recognize family safety as a public health priority and understand the burden caused by domestic violence.
• Describe the health, social, and legislative pillars of family safety.
• Explain the comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to contemporary domestic violence issues.

Skills:

• Demonstrate the ability to manage a variety of cases using a multidisciplinary approach focused on family safety.
• Apply evidence-based research and scientific methods to enhance family safety practices and decision-making.
• Exhibit leadership and effective communication skills in interactions with individuals and institutions.

Values:

• Support and advocate for efforts to ensure family safety and prevent domestic violence.
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical values in managing domestic violence cases.
• Respect cultural diversity and societal values related to family safety and domestic violence prevention.