DUBAI // Creating a safe place for children is the cornerstone of the UAE’s new Child Protection Law, so educators and a paediatrician have asked for a clear chain of command to enable an immediate response to cases flagged by schools and hospitals.
Informally referred to as Wadeema’s Law, in memory of an eight-year-old Emirati girl tortured to death by her father, it will take effect on June 15.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai said child protection specialists and a dedicated team of prosecutors would investigate cases, and details of their powers and responsibilities would be made available over the next few weeks.
“It’s a huge step that the UAE is facilitating a child protection law, so implementation should be as strong as the law itself. It’s not that the law is the solution, the solution is the implementation,” said Bedour Al Raqbani, director and founder of Kalimati Speech and Communication Centre.
“Each school should have a social worker, by law, who will always be available to take care of cases or it will cause stress on teachers who are already stressed out.
“The community must be involved because this law is about a community initiative. Children also need to know what protects them.”
In the West, a trained nurse or social worker in hospitals and schools handles cases involving suspected abuse of children and liaises with state or federal officials. In the UAE, every emirate has designated an authority to oversee child protection.
In Abu Dhabi, a new team of prosecutors has been established to investigate cases involving abuse or criminal negligence of children up to the age of 18.
In Dubai, the Child Protection Centre, under the oversight of the Community Development Authority, has the legal right to intervene.
Cases can be reported on the 116111 hotline, with rooms ready for children in social support centres.
“This will make sure that their confidentiality is maintained and they are comfortable to speak freely,” said Dana Marzouki, acting director of child protection at the Ministry of Interior.
“Child protection centres have more responsibility now, so we must use this with caution.”
The conditions under which child protection specialists can intervene to take an abused child to safety are being drawn up by the Ministry of Social Development. Clear guidelines will help caregivers to understand which cases to report.
“I would like to know very clearly not just who to contact but what will happen next,” said Dr Rajeshree Singhania, a paediatrician at Singhania Clinic in Dubai Healthcare City. She works with children who have developmental problems.
“We should know if the medical person who reported it has to be present in court,” said Dr Singhania.
“Before this our hands were tied, now there will be awareness and accountability.
“Just because there is a law doesn’t make it easy. There will be growing pains as it gets more established but it’s the right way forward.”
In the past, serious abuse cases were reported to the police or to centres for women and children in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Clive Pierrepont, director of communications at Taaleem, one of the Middle East’s largest education providers, said a framework and clear guidelines would give teachers clarification on who would respond to reports about suspected child abuse.
“Any change brings challenges but this is an important law. I am sure that with adequate training and with heightened awareness, it will lead to a safer society for all children,” he said.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
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As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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