There was actually an article in today's National calling for stricter penalties for abusers:

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/harsher-penalties-for-abusers-a-...

I think the major issue is that for many people domestic abuse and child abuse is a "family issue"

That's a stigma we've been fighting for decades in the West, and sadly still making little headway. :(