Saudi Arabia has passed a new law which treats domestic abuse as a crime, a report said.

The cabinet has extended the law to providing treatment and shelter to victims of violence, added the report in Arab News.

Abuse cases may be reported to the Ministry of Social Affairs or law enforcement authorities, which are now held accountable for investigating and prosecuting domestic cases.

Abuse victims also will have access to psychological treatment, health care and shelter, according to the report.

“All civilian or military employees and all workers in the private sector who learn of a case of abuse — by virtue of their work — shall report the case to their employers when they know it,” the Cabinet was quoted in the report. “The employers shall report the case to the Ministry of Social Affairs or police when they know it.”