AJMAN // Most cases of suspected child abuse reported to the emirate’s police force last year involved Arab families who used corporal punishment to discipline their children.
A report by the Social Police Section at Ajman Police found that most of the 168 cases reported involved incidents of physical, psychological maltreatment and neglect of a child by families of Middle East descent.
“Child abuse involves all nationalities,” said Capt Dr Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director of the SPS. “But most cases have been reported to the department by Arabs because Arab parents use discipline unfortunately instead of advice, guidance and compassion.”
Discipline should be instructive and age-appropriate and should include positive reinforcement for good behaviour, said Capt Al Suwaidi.
“Parents have to pay attention on the part of advice and guidance and not use violence, which has negative effects on children.”
The director said that any person who witnessed a child, or an adult, being exposed to violence from a parent, spouse or other relative, had the right to report it to police, who would then take the necessary legal action.
The number of cases last year, which also included domestic violence between spouses, was up on 2013 when officers dealt with 144 incidents. Capt Al Suwaidi said the rise was a result of increased public awareness of the SPS and how it can help.
“In the past, most people did not know about the availability of the Social Police Section and know that women can report when they face violence.
“We held a number of campaigns and distributed cards with a dedicated number for victims to call. The number of cases reported has increased, but that does not mean they did not exist, but the victims have become familiar with the department and begun communicating with us.”
The UAE signed up to the United Nations convention on children’s rights in 1997, which protects the rights of those under 18.
“We receive some child abuse cases from teachers at schools,” said Capt Al Suwaidi. “After solving the case between parents and child, we do surveillance to check up on the child and his parents at school and home.
“Our goal is to maintain the family and protect the children.”
Nora Hamdi, an Algerian mother of two, said that she used either physical punishment or strong words to discipline her children, depending on the problem and her mood.
“When I am in a bad mood and tired and not in a mood to give advice when my daughter hits her little brother or both make a fault, I hit them. When I am in a good mood, I use advice by telling them do this and don’t do that, this is good and that is bad,” said the 42-year-old, who also punished her children by depriving them of something they love or telling them off.
Omar Al Shamsi, an Emirati father of two boys, said he preferred to talk to his children rather than physically discipline them. “I deprive them of something they love and when they do the mistake more than twice I use a loud voice to control them.”
roueiti@thenational.ae