Minister of Justice: 36% decline in domestic violence cases over six months
Justice Minister Counselor Nasser Al-Samit affirmed on Saturday the continued decline in domestic violence cases registered before the Public Prosecution, explaining that the rate of decrease reached 36 percent during the first six months of the implementation of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence.
Counselor Al-Samit told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Justice Ministry statistics showed a reduction of 365 cases, as the number dropped to 646 cases during the period from March 15 to September 13, 2026, compared with 1,011 cases during the same period in 2025.
He noted that the Ministry had announced, after the first three months of the law’s implementation, a 33 percent decrease in cases, which then rose to a 36 percent decrease after six months, confirming the continuation of the downward trend and that it is not limited to the initial months.
He added that this decline is a clear indicator of the impact of Decree-Law No. 11 of 2026 concerning the Protection from Domestic Violence, which provides special protection for the most vulnerable groups within the family by prohibiting the withdrawal of complaints, reconciliation, or pardon in cases of sexual abuse and in domestic violence crimes committed against children, persons lacking legal capacity, or persons with limited legal capacity, as well as crimes committed by children against one of their parents.
He stated that the decrease in cases does not mean that efforts have reached their goal, as every case of domestic violence affects the security and stability of the family and requires serious handling, affirming the Justice Ministry’s continued monitoring of indicators and periodic assessment of the impact of legislation.
The Justice Minister emphasized that protecting the family is a shared national responsibility, and that the development of legislation will remain linked to its actual outcomes and its ability to protect members of society, curb crime, and reinforce the sense of security and stability.
Previously, on June 20, the Justice Minister had affirmed that domestic violence cases registered before the Public Prosecution had decreased by 33 percent during the first three months of the implementation of the new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence.
It is worth noting that the Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law on the Protection from Domestic Violence on February 10, and it was published in the Official Gazette (Al-Qabas) in mid-March.
The draft Decree-Law, which comprises 31 articles, comes within the framework of the state’s constitutional and social commitment to protecting the family unit and enhancing its stability as the fundamental building block of society, ensuring justice and dignity for all family members and providing a safe environment that contributes to consolidating family and social stability.
