Community is urged to report suspected abuse

Members of the community can help fight abuse by reporting suspected cases, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children urges.

DUBAI // Aid workers say communities can help fight abuse by becoming aware of its many forms and reporting suspected cases.

Social workers said intervention is vital in all abuse cases, not just the most severe.

“Pinching, pushing, pulling a child’s hair and scratching also damages a child’s personality, self esteem,” said counsellor Amna Al Mutawaa.

“Violence becomes normal and children then practise it on others.”

Staff raised awareness in colleges, schools and nurseries about verbal and emotional abuse, sexual molestation and exposure to sexual objects or images.

The foundation called on authorities, schools and colleges to work with it on cases where children had no identification papers, birth certificates or passports.

It was often tough to obtain paperwork required for child abuse and trafficking victims to go to school.

“Any delay affects them because children need a systematic education programme,” added Ms Al Mutawaa said.

“We need to speed up the process of enrolment of these children for all educational levels.”

Counsellors draw up support plans for each child when it is time to leave the shelter. If the abuser is in the family, other relatives or a foster family take the child after a thorough evaluation.

“We conduct an intensive investigation and assessment for a child’s welfare,” said Afra Al Basti.

“What is the best for the child, what will enhance and promote their growth in a natural and safe environment would be our option for the child.”