POSTPONED Jordan’s Secret Shame

ORGANISED BY BBC ARABIC

Followed by a Q&A with undercover reporter Hanan Khandagji

BBC Arabic investigation has uncovered cases where children had been seriously injured in Jordan’s private care homes for the mentally disabled. The film also uncovers allegations of sexual abuse at one private care home. Hanan Khandagji is the undercover reporter who produced BBC Arabic’s investigative documentary Jordan’s Secret Shame. The film explores care homes abuse of disable children in Jordan, which received massive media coverage as well as a reaction from the public and the Jordanian government alike.

Following the first broadcast of the investigation a press release was issued on 13 May and on Monday morning, the King of Jordan, Abdullah, has made a surprise visit to some of the home cares in Jordan. He later commissioned an investigation, which includes all care homes for disabled children, elderly homes and nurseries among others. Two weeks later, the investigation committee submitted its final report and found additional evidence of child abuse. Some care homes were announced closed and some others have been given warning notices. Several care workers were referred to court, some were jailed.

Hanan Khandagji holds Palestinian nationality, she was born in 1989 in Saudi Arabia and raised and lives in Jordan. While finalising her BA in Business Administration, Jarash University, she worked with Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), BBC Arabic partners in producing the investigative documentary on Jordan. She also works as a volunteer in Al Balad Radio and Amman Net website, in the investigation Affairs Department.