Rania's tale touches global nerve

From The BBC

The story of Rania al-Baz, the Saudi television presenter who released photos of the injuries she says she sustained in an assault by her husband, has received an overwhelming response from BBC News Online readers.

Note that Rania's husband has been convicted of her beating since this article was written.

Readers from Saudi itself said Rania had made a great impact by speaking out on a normally taboo subject.

"I am Muslim, divorced and a recovering victim of domestic violence," one US woman wrote.

"We need more sisters from Saudi Arabia to come forth and go public with their stories. I have been a victim - it destroys and hurts long after the scars heal."

"These are all things of the past and should not be allowed to continue."

Kedija from Morocco said all Muslim women had to make a stand "against these primitive acts".

"We are oppressed, we have rights as men have. We should change the mentalities of our society about women, specially among Islamic men."

Now that her husband has been convicted and sentenced to 6 months prison and 300 lashes, it will be interesting to see if more women come forward. Remember though, they have to be accompanied by a male member of the family to report abuse by their husbands.