UAE ministry launches system to help victims of domestic abuse

The new ‘soun’, or safeguard support, will be available for all residents and citizens

The service is open to residents and Emiratis and covers explanations of physical, emotional and psychological violence against the vulnerable members of a family unit, such as children, the elderly, Show more

The UAE Ministry of Community Development has launched a system, called "soun", to help victims of domestic abuse in the family home.

Intended as an awareness tool to identify domestic abuse, soun, or safeguard in English, can be accessed when people log in to the ministry's MOCD Connect smartphone application.

The self-assessment method is a new addition to several channels on which people can request help from authorities by using hotline numbers and email contacts.

The service is open to residents and Emiratis and covers explanations of physical, emotional and psychological violence against the vulnerable members of a family unit, such as children, the elderly, women, people with special needs and teenagers.

The authority also released a family protection guide to outline when victims should ask police or institutions for help.

Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said the soun system and the guide were part of efforts to strengthen support for the family.

The announcement was made as part of an innovation programme this month and a week-long series of events at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Eman Hareb Al Falahi, director of the social protection department at the Ministry of Community Development, said early detection was possible through sets of questions asked to gauge the person’s condition.

The answers provided will place the person in colour-coded levels from green, orange to red so they understand if they require consultation and assistance.

“The system informs people of the phone numbers of competent authorities and provides necessary assistance to those exposed to abuse,” she said.

The application is available for download on Apple and Android devices in Arabic and English and can be used by adults and children.

The Community Development Ministry over the past few years has released several initiatives, including child protection specialists who act as judicial officers to implement the rules of Wadeema, the federal child rights law.