Jordanian law protects children from physical abuse, violence, and mistreatment through several laws. The main legislation includes the Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017 and the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022, together with relevant provisions of the Jordanian Penal Code depending on the nature of the assault and resulting injury.
The Child Rights Law protects children from violence and abuse and recognizes their right to protection from harm to their physical, psychological, and sexual integrity. Where physical abuse occurs within the family, the reporting and protective procedures under Jordan’s domestic violence legislation may also apply.
Quick Answer
- What is the Family Protection Law in Jordan? In the context of domestic violence, this generally refers to the Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017. It regulates domestic violence cases, reporting and protective procedures, and the role of the Family Protection and Juvenile Department.
- What law protects children in Jordan? The principal legislation is the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022, which protects children from violence, abuse, mistreatment, and harm to their physical, psychological, and sexual integrity.
- What is the penalty for hitting a child in Jordan? There is no single penalty for every case. The applicable offense and penalty depend on the nature of the assault, the injury and its consequences, medical evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- How do I report child abuse in Jordan? A report may be made to the Family Protection and Juvenile Department, including through the Public Security Directorate’s electronic reporting service or by contacting the competent department. If the child is in immediate danger, protection should be sought without delay.
Does your case involve physical abuse of a child in Jordan?
The circumstances of the incident, medical reports, documents, and other available information can be reviewed to identify the legal issues and protective procedures that may apply to the case.
Important: If a child is in immediate danger, obtaining protection from the competent authorities should take priority over delaying action for a legal consultation.
جدول المحتويات
Family and Child Protection Laws in Jordan
Child protection from physical abuse in Jordan is not governed by a single law. The Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017 and the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022 operate alongside relevant provisions of the Jordanian Penal Code where the conduct may constitute assault, bodily harm, or another criminal offense.
What Is the Family Protection Law in Jordan?
When people search for the “Family Protection Law in Jordan,” they generally mean the Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017. The law addresses offenses committed by one family member against another and regulates reporting, protective procedures, and the role of the Family Protection and Juvenile Department.
What Is the Child Protection Law in Jordan?
The principal legislation governing child rights and protection in Jordan is the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022. Article 20 recognizes the child’s right to protection from violence, mistreatment, and violations of physical, psychological, or sexual integrity, while Article 21 prohibits exposing a child to violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Important: The Child Rights Law of 2022 is not an amendment to the Protection from Domestic Violence Law of 2017. They are separate laws whose provisions may apply together depending on the circumstances of the case.
What Is Physical Child Abuse?
For the purpose of this guide, physical child abuse refers to physical conduct that harms or interferes with a child’s bodily integrity, including hitting, kicking, or other forms of physical violence depending on the circumstances. Jordan’s Child Rights Law recognizes the child’s right to protection from physical harm and prohibits violence and mistreatment.
Where the alleged conduct is sexual in nature, different legal provisions and considerations may apply. Sexual abuse cases should therefore be distinguished from the physical assault issues discussed in this guide.
What Is the Penalty for Hitting a Child in Jordan?
There is no single fixed penalty that applies to every case involving the physical assault of a child in Jordan. The applicable criminal offense and potential penalty depend on factors such as the nature of the act, the injury caused, its consequences, medical evidence, and the surrounding circumstances.
Depending on the injury and result, the conduct may fall under bodily harm or assault provisions of the Jordanian Penal Code. If the incident occurred within the family, protective measures under domestic violence legislation may also be relevant.
For that reason, the incident itself, medical report, available evidence, and relationship between the parties should be reviewed before determining the applicable criminal provision or possible penalty.
How to Report Physical Child Abuse in Jordan
If there is reason to believe that a child has been subjected to physical abuse or violence, a report may be submitted to the Family Protection and Juvenile Department. The Jordanian Public Security Directorate also provides an electronic reporting service, and reports may be made through the competent Family Protection and Juvenile Department or through the AMMN911 application.
- Family Protection and Juvenile Department.
- Public Security Directorate electronic reporting service.
- The competent Family Protection and Juvenile Department for the relevant area.
- AMMN911 application.
Jordan’s domestic violence legislation also imposes reporting obligations in certain circumstances on healthcare, educational, and social service providers who become aware of domestic violence involving a person lacking or having limited legal capacity. The Child Rights Law also establishes reporting obligations concerning specified cases of violence and abuse against children.
What Does the Family Protection and Juvenile Department Do After a Report?
When a domestic violence complaint or report is received, the law requires the competent Family Protection authority to respond promptly, register the case, and take the necessary measures. Depending on the circumstances, those measures may include arranging medical care or moving the affected person to a safe place where necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Child Abuse in Jordan
What Is the Family Protection Law in Jordan?
In domestic violence cases, Jordan’s main family protection legislation is the Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017. It regulates violence between family members, reporting and protective procedures, and the role of the Family Protection and Juvenile Department, alongside other laws addressing child rights and criminal liability.
What Is the Child Protection Law in Jordan?
Jordan’s main child protection legislation is the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022. It protects children from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm to their physical, psychological, or sexual integrity, while also recognizing broader rights relating to healthcare, education, care, and development.
What Is the Penalty for Hitting a Child in Jordan?
There is no single fixed penalty for hitting a child in Jordan. The applicable offense and penalty depend on the nature of the act, the injury, its consequences, medical evidence, and the surrounding circumstances. If the alleged offender is a family member, domestic violence protection procedures may also apply.
What Is Considered Physical Child Abuse in Jordan?
Physical child abuse generally means conduct that harms or threatens a child’s bodily integrity, including hitting or other forms of physical violence depending on the circumstances. Jordan’s Child Rights Law protects children from violence, mistreatment, and abuse affecting their physical safety, alongside broader protections for their psychological and sexual integrity.
How Do I Report Child Abuse in Jordan?
Child abuse in Jordan may be reported to the Family Protection and Juvenile Department of the Public Security Directorate. Reports may also be submitted through the official electronic reporting service or by contacting the competent department. If the child is in immediate danger, protection should be sought through the appropriate authorities without delay.
Conclusion
Children in Jordan are protected from violence and abuse through several laws, particularly the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022 and the Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017, together with the applicable provisions of the Jordanian Penal Code depending on the nature and consequences of the assault.
There is no single penalty for every case involving the physical assault of a child. The legal classification depends on the conduct, injury, medical evidence, outcome, and surrounding circumstances. Where child abuse is suspected, a report may be submitted to the Family Protection and Juvenile Department through the available official channels.
Do you need legal advice about a child abuse case in Jordan?
The nature of the alleged abuse, surrounding circumstances, medical reports, and available documents can be reviewed to identify the legal provisions and procedures that may be relevant to the case.
Official Sources
- National Council for Family Affairs – Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022
- Jordanian Ministry of Social Development – Protection from Domestic Violence Law No. 15 of 2017
- Jordanian Public Security Directorate – Reporting to the Family Protection and Juvenile Department
Legal Disclaimer: This content provides general legal information only. The appropriate legal classification and procedure depend on the nature of the alleged abuse, injury, outcome, evidence, and surrounding circumstances. The legislation currently in force and the specific facts and documents should be reviewed before applying any conclusion to an individual case.
Mohammad Jaser Al-Atasi is a lawyer and legal consultant based in Amman, Jordan, with over 25 years of experience in litigation and legal advisory services. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master’s degree in Civil Law, in addition to specialized qualifications in Sharia and Arbitration. He is the founder of Al-Atasi Law Firm and Legal Consultations, where he provides legal services to individuals and businesses in civil, commercial, and criminal matters, as well as contract drafting, legal appeals, and representation before Jordanian courts.