Dubai records 42 child abuse cases in six months this year

DUBAI — As many as 42 cases of child abuse were recorded by the Human Rights Department of the Dubai Police during the first half of this year, as compared to 29 in the same period last year.

The child abuse cases this year included sexual harassment (12), violence (9) and neglect of the right to education (8), said Lt-Col Saeed Al Hali, director of the women and child protection department at the Dubai Police.

He added that almost all the cases were received by the department from the mothers of the children. Ten cases were received on the hotline of the Ministry of the Interior, and four from schools.

He noted that 21 cases were regarding children aged between 11

and 18 years and the majority of them were girls. Moreover, 42 per cent of the recorded cases during the first half of 2018 were related to UAE citizens. The father of the family was the reason behind the abuse in 48 per cent of the cases last year. This came down by 1 per cent this year.

He pointed out that last year, in 46 per cent of the cases, rights of children were preserved without taking legal action, and in seven per cent of the cases, criminal reports were opened. All cases of sexual abuse were referred to legal authorities.

Increased awareness

Lt-Col Al Hali said that the increase in recorded cases this year is a sign of awareness of the importance of preserving child rights and addressing their problems.

In the past year, the department has spread its awareness programmes to all segments of the public. People have been sensitised about the Child Protection Act, which is one of the major laws to safeguard the rights of children in the UAE. “We have gone to schools and hospitals for children, such as Latifa Hospital and Al Jalila centre, to explain the law and answer queries.”

The director pointed out that the department also launched the child protection programme as well as formed “safety ambassadors” at schools comprising students. These ambassadors will educate others and be a support to their peers, he said.

With regard to innovations in awareness programmes, Lt-Col Al Hali explained that he had produced a video film on drug menace, and screened it in six movie theatres. A journal featuring popular personalities, Amna and Mohamed, as well as safety ambassadors has also been circulated.