How Two Sisters Pulled Off a Daring Escape From Saudi Arabia

Over a period of two months in 2019, VICE News followed two Saudi sisters who escaped from their family and are struggling to break free from their old lives, once dictated by Saudi Arabia's oppressive guardianship laws.

This VICE News Special Report, "Escaping The Kingdom" originally aired in August 2019.



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[VICENews]

Over a period of two months in 2019, VICE News follows two Saudi sisters who escaped from their family and are struggling to break free from their old lives, once dictated by Saudi Arabia's oppressive guardianship laws.

[annienel]

Abusive people will always use this statement"it is a family matter"

[MeMe-ryoj]

it's sad when a stranger is more of a father than your biological one.

[isabellejubinville]

That lawyer is such a good human. The tears in his eyes when he realises they are safe broke me. I wish there were more people like him.

[tadesubaru]

That "I look so good" (10:30) made me so happy. She's happy with her haircut, happy with showing herself to the world, and proud of who she is and where she's at in life. She's so strong

[freignstewart]

I work here in Saudi Arabia as a housemaid. I can say that my Employer's daughters are very lucky to have an open minded parents. My male boss even sent his daughter to Ireland to study English language.

[Grayson]

The physical and emotional abuse is so normalized that the parents were actually shocked when they had enough! Because in their mind what they did wasn’t wrong. That’s how normalized it is.

[bunssohawt]

For those wondering about their safety, Toby their lawyer has put out an twitter statement that they are both currently still safe on the 8th of June

[dinaabd]

The fear they felt while they were on the run disturbed me to the core. I was in their situation with my husband here in Ireland. He abused me emotionally and cheated repeatedly and was addicted to weed. When I called the guards on him during one of his psychotic episodes they advised me to go to women refuge. He went nuts and called all my family members back home and trashed my reputation. He said stuff that could get me killed if I go home. He also didn't stop sending threats to me and I felt very shaken and petrified. I can't be thankful enough for the support I had in Ireland. The refuge, the therapist and psychiatrist all rushed to help me without any payments. I finally made peace with my family after a while when they realized how of a lier my husband is. But the fear I felt and the emotional damage is unforgivable.

[cookiemonster]

That guy worries like its his own kids. The world needs more people like u. Imagine the world filled with caring people. Just imagine 🤔❤️

[RandomThings]

The fact that a "friend" snitched on them, are you serious what an awful human being.

[yassi]

For me as an Iranian who has lived in the Middle East, I can assure you that this stuff genuinely does happen. Some people think it is wrong. Others do not.

[zk]

These two women are incredibly brave... going against everything they know and leaving their comfort behind for a chance at a new life. Wishing them nothing but the best 🥺

[MuhammadAlrashed]

I love how the lawyer is emotionally involved and genuinely worried about their safety... You can see it in his reaction when he calls them after the UN interview

[emilywiebel]

I wish more people would watch interviews like these and understand why people flee their countries and try to start new lives in Europe and the US or wherever else. I hate when I see hatred towards immigrants bc all they want is a better life which they deserve and it’s so sad they have to flee all they know to try and reach that.

[JacquelynNhi]

The person that told their father of their plans was anything but a friend. It's crazy how some of the women just are okay with being owned their entire lives.

[rahafmohmd]

i live in saudi and im gonna say one thing " every single thing the father said is a lie "

[hd]

Whn people use extreme culture and their own opinions in the name of religion and law 🤦🏻‍♀️

[USDAselect]

When the Turkish photographer learned that they are Saudis his heart missed a beat 😂😂😂

[Vvvvvvv]

I’m glad that the two women have each other to support each other during their difficult time