5. Family Environment and Alternative Care: Articles 5, 18 (a,b), 9-11, 19-21, 25, 27 (4), and 39 of the Convention 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The NIHR values the promulgation of Law No. (17) of 2015 on Protection against Domestic Violence7, as it constitutes a significant legal framework for the protection of the rights of the child and the family. The law defines domestic violence as any act of abuse occurring within the family by one of its members against another member, whether the act of abuse is physical, psychological, sexual, or economic, in addition, the Law included penalties prescribed in case of violation. The NIHR commends the significant role played by the Child Protection Center established in 2007. The Center is a social welfare institution whose purpose is to offer protection for children up to the age of 18 years from all forms of bad treatment, negligence, and sexual abuse. The Center provides care and health treatment to the child when subjected to physical or psychological abuse, as well as psychological, social, and educational services. In addition, the Center coordinates legal and judicial services and provides temporary or permanent alternative (foster) care in cases of extreme necessity. This is known as temporary custody, where families provide custody for children whose parents are unable to look after, or for those who are subjected to physical or psychological abuse or neglect within the family, or for cases of homelessness, to care for them and provide shelter for a temporary period until the cause has disappeared. The Center also provides rehabilitation services of the child for reintegration into the family, and follows up the case at the academic, educational, psychological, and social levels. The NIHR notes the importance of Law No. (26) of 1986 on the Procedures before Shari'a Courts and its amendments, under which the Family Reconciliation Offices were given a role in settling the Shari'a disputes amicably prior to bringing the cases before the competent Shari'a courts, in the best interests of the child to be brought up with its parents. Recommendation: Recruit qualified staff in the field of psychology and sociology, specializing in childhood, to work in the family guidance offices of community centers all over the governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to deal properly with children. 7 For more information: Law No. (17) of 2015 on Protection against Domestic Violence, published on the website of the Legislative and Legal Advisory Committee: www.legalaffairs.gov.bh 21 NIHR_Bahrain©CRC_parallel report 2018