The Court of First Instance in Kenitra ruled on Wednesday to fine a teacher, who serves as an assistant principal at an educational institution in the region, 3,000 dirhams for assaulting a colleague two years ago during an official meeting.
The incident faced widespread criticism from educational and human rights activists, extending to the Moroccan Parliament after delays in the victim’s complaint against the accused.
According to details from the ruling, the court found the defendant guilty and imposed a fine of 500 dirhams, along with a compensation payment of 2,500 dirhams to the victim, while also ordering him to cover the legal costs.
The case came to light after parliamentary representative Khadija Zoumi of the Independence Party submitted a written question to Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi on March 3 of last year.
The question addressed the status of a complaint filed by a primary school teacher, who alleged that her colleague verbally and physically assaulted her in front of witnesses during a meeting.
Following the verdict, Zoumi stated, “The court has upheld justice for the assaulted teacher in Kenitra, who was the subject of a question directed to the Minister of Justice. No to violence against women.”
While acknowledging the independence of the judiciary, some rights advocates criticized the ruling as insufficient, arguing that the compensation awarded was meager compared to the 38 days of recovery the victim required due to the assault. They emphasized that such rulings often fail to address the psychological scars left on the victim and called for stricter penalties to deter future violence.
Attorney and activist Fatiha Chitato remarked that the awarded compensation of 2,500 dirhams was inadequate and would not sufficiently cover the victim’s medical and psychological needs. She emphasized the necessity for a review of Law 103.13, enacted five years ago to combat violence against women, to ensure more appropriate penalties for offenders and better protection for victims.
Chitato noted that the public nature of the assault, occurring in front of the victim’s colleagues, highlights ongoing issues of violence against women, suggesting the need for stricter punishments and improved legal frameworks. She advocated for the installation of surveillance cameras in schools to aid in evidence collection and address the burden of proof often placed on victims.
Activist Bushra Abdou echoed these sentiments, stating that the compensation was insufficient for both physical and psychological damages, particularly in light of the severe injury sustained by the victim, evidenced by the medical certificate indicating 38 days of incapacity.
She called for meaningful accountability and deterrent measures to prevent future assaults against women in workplaces, especially in educational institutions.
Abdou stressed the need for the state to take responsibility in addressing violence against women by imposing penalties that reflect the harm suffered by victims, whether physical or psychological. She proposed the establishment of a fund to provide financial compensation for women to help cover their mental health support and counseling costs.
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