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The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Inside Saudi Arabia's ‘hellish' secret prisons for women banished by their cruel husbands to be flogged into ‘obedience'
"HELLISH" Saudi prisons are housing banished wives in nightmare conditions and subjecting them to floggings so they can be taught "obedience". Several women inmates at the 3 Harrowing footage showed the moment an inmate tried to escape a notorious Dar al-Re'aya prison Credit: Facebook 3 Women are reportedly subject to floggings Credit: Facebook 3 They are hit into 'obedience' if they don't comply with sexual abuse at home Credit: Facebook They are reportedly locked away in Other harrowing details of the prisons' conditions continue to plague its dreaded reputation. Documented cases show evidence of abuse and neglect, malnutrition, poor health and hygiene, and mistreatment and brutality, according to rights group ALQST. They also accused Dar al-Re'aya READ MORE WORLD NEWS Several cases of suicide attempts in recent years have also been reported The name of the jails, Dar al-Re'aya, literally translates to "care homes". A campaigner fighting to abolish the She bravely explained: "If you are sexually abused or get pregnant by your brother or father you are the one sent to Dar al-Re'aya to protect the family's reputation." Most read in The US Sun She added that often women are put between the impossible choice of enduring horrific abuse at home or living in The care homes have existed since the 1960s and were initially presented as a rehabilitative "shelter" for women accused or convicted of certain crimes. Inside the hellish prison dubbed 'Indonesia's Alcatraz' which executes death row inmates with a firing squad The infamous cells house women between the ages of just seven years old and 30. But women's rights groups today warn that the notorious prisons serve mainly as detention facilities for young girls and women. And these female inmates are accused of having "become delinquent or have been accused by their male guardians of disobedience". Another Saudi women who fled into exile said that these jails are well-known across the country. She said: "It's like hell. "I tried to end my life when I found out I was going to be taken to one. She added: "I knew what happened to women there and thought 'I can't survive it.'' The 38-year-old said that inmates are subject to strip searches and even virginity tests on arrival. They are also given sedatives to put them to sleep . Inmates are also addressed by numbers, not names, the exile woman said. Women's Aid Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families: Always keep your phone nearby. Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women's Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine. If you are in danger, call 999. Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing '55'. Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare. If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity's email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – Women's Aid provides a You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. She recalled that one woman was lashed for shared her family name instead of her number. "If she doesn't pray, she gets lashes. If she is found alone with another woman she gets lashes and is accused of being a lesbian," she explained. "The guards gather and watch when the girls are being lashed." Chilling footage also showed the moment a female inmate appeared to try and escape the hellish cells. They desperately climbed up onto the roof in order to get out of the prisons. In 2015, a woman was found to have hanged herself from the ceiling of her room at one of the Dar al-Re'aya prisons. She left behind a written note saying: "I decided to die to escape hell." A staff member at another shelter was quoted as having said that children suffer the worst kind of psychological and physical torture. According to Arab News, they said: "With my own eyes I saw a worker beating on a child not more than 13 years of age." Women have also reportedly been killed shortly after their release. One woman also told the Guardian that she was taken to Dar al-Re'aya after complaining about her dads and brothers. She was then allegedly abused at the prison and accused of bringing shame upon her family for her social media posts touting women's rights. She was held in the institution until her dad agreed she could be released - despite him being the alleged abuser. Girls and women can only be released from Dar al-Re'aya into the custody of a male relative, ALQST reported. Women have previously been described being made to stand for six hours in one sitting as a punishment for disobedience. Data is rarely released about the facilities. In 2016, there were reportedly 233 girls and women held in seven facilities across the Arab kingdom.
Pembrokeshire Herald
20-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Half of adults unaware of key dementia symptom, warns Alzheimer's Society Cymru
Charity urges early diagnosis in Wales during Dementia Action Week ALMOST half of adults in Wales are unaware that problems with vision can be a common symptom of dementia, according to new research released by Alzheimer's Society Cymru. The figures come as Dementia Action Week (May 19–24) begins, with the charity aiming to raise awareness of the condition and encourage earlier diagnosis. An estimated 50,000 people are currently living with dementia in Wales — but nearly half of them do not have a formal diagnosis. The new data reveals that 50 per cent of Welsh adults did not recognise changes in vision as a symptom of dementia. One in ten people surveyed could not identify a single common symptom. Vision-related symptoms can include difficulty judging distances, trouble recognising objects, and misinterpreting patterns or reflections. Larger print may also become harder to read. Other commonly overlooked signs include changes in mood or communication difficulties. Across the UK, only 61 per cent of adults recognised problems with communication as a symptom, and 64 per cent identified mood changes. Rachel Nelson, Country Manager for Alzheimer's Society Cymru, said: 'At Alzheimer's Society, we see too many people delaying seeking a diagnosis because they're scared or unsure what it will mean. 'A diagnosis is not the end. It's the beginning of getting the right support, making informed choices and living well. 'That's why this Dementia Action Week, we're encouraging everyone to learn more about the symptoms of dementia and to seek help if they notice changes in themselves or someone close to them.' Alzheimer's Society Cymru is promoting a free online symptom checklist to help people better understand the warning signs and take action. Corinne Mills, Interim CEO of Alzheimer's Society, added: 'More than a third of people with dementia don't have a diagnosis, meaning they're missing out on the vital care, support, and treatment they need. 'Our research shows that 97 per cent of people affected by dementia saw a benefit in getting a diagnosis.' The six most common symptoms of dementia include: Memory loss – especially of recent events Difficulty organising thoughts – trouble making decisions or solving problems Problems with communication – struggling to find the right words or follow conversations Problems with vision – difficulty judging distances or seeing edges of objects Confusion about time or place – losing track of the day or forgetting where they are Changes in mood or personality – becoming unusually anxious, irritable, or withdrawn The charity emphasises that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and early diagnosis allows access to treatments, care options, and the ability to plan ahead — including appointing a power of attorney and managing finances. To check symptoms or get support, visit or call the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456. Welsh language support is available on 03300 947 400. Photo caption: Supporting early diagnosis: Alzheimer's Society Cymru urges people to check symptoms and seek help during Dementia Action Week (Pic: Alzheimer's Society).
