Domestic violence going unreported, Dubai charity says

Dubai Police’s Department of Women and Children has dealt with 93 cases in the first 10 months of this year, 89 of which were in relation to family disputes, including domestic violence.

Workers at the women and children’s centre. Its chief says victims can be uncomfortable talking to police. Razan Alzayani / The National

DUBAI // Hundreds of domestic violence cases go unreported to police because the victims are too uncomfortable to talk about it, a charity says.

Afra Al Basti, director of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said some women felt more comfortable contacting the organisation about the violence committed against them than reporting it to authorities.

“The police, of course, play a very important role in our society but the foundation is a separate civilian entity with an all-female staff,” she said.

“It is normal for us to have higher numbers than the police of domestic violence cases, because some women would feel more comfortable coming and communicating with us.”

Dubai Police’s Department of Women and Children dealt with 93 cases in the first 10 months of this year. Of those, 89 were from family disputes, including violence, and four of child abuse.

This month, police disclosed the case of a mother who inflicted burns on her daughter, 6, “to teach her a lesson”.

They also dealt with a case of a boy, 10, who was beaten by his parents for being disobedient.

Last year, police recorded 13 cases of child abuse.

Maj Shaheen Al Mazmi, director of the department, said his unit always tried to resolve cases before resorting to prosecution.

“It’s important to note that those who suffer the most from family disputes are the children,” he said.

“Sometimes, the child may not immediately be affected by what’s going on around him but might show signs of instability in the future.

“We work on mediating between the couple and opening healthy lines of communication so that the matter is resolved once and for all.”

“All cases are confidential, and we only disclose information after the cases have been completely resolved and with the permission of everyone involved. We do it for no other reason other than to raise awareness.”

Maj Al Mazmi said experts and social workers at the department were following up on 36 cases.

“They do routine checks for a period of three to six months to make sure that there are no more problems, and that everything is normal and healthy,” he said, urging parents to always protect their children’s mental and physical health.

Ms Al Basti said that the foundation, which deals with victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, offered people immediate protection and support services, while communicating with police in some cases.

“We evaluate the victim for three to seven days, after which we figure out in what ways we can assist them, whether it’s socially or psychologically,” she said.

“Most of the time, the victims approach us directly and other times they are transferred to us from other entities, including Dubai Police.

“We also have cases of women who they themselves are not being beaten but their children or the maid are being abused. We also try to offer assistance and support.”

Of the 89 cases of family disputes, Dubai Police has resolved 74 without the need for prosecutors to get involved. Thirteen cases have either been transferred or are being assessed.

Anne Jackson, who is the co-founder of Leaves Dubai, a support group for those going through separation or divorce, said: “We have had some women who were victims of physical abuse, others who were victims of verbal abuse.

“We have had cases of men locking their wives out of the home and not allowing them in to get their stuff, and others who have felt helpless.

“In situations where I felt that women might be in danger, I have advised them to seek shelter at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.”