ABU DHABI // The number of cases of abused woman and children that a shelter in Dubai handled in the first half of this year has nearly doubled.
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children dealt with 452 new cases from January to June, compared with 232 cases in the same period last year.
It offered shelter to 29 victims of abuse. The others were cared for with help from external agencies.
There were 229 cases involving domestic violence and 31 involving child abuse. Other cases included sexual assault, human trafficking and victims who were given shelter for humanitarian reasons.
“The increase in the number of the received cases is a positive indication because it shows that the victims – women and children who suffered from abuse – are receiving the required care and support from the right place,” said Afra Al Basti, the foundation’s director general, adding it was “a result of the increased awareness in UAE society about these issues in general”.
The foundation provides care and rehabilitation services that adhere to worldwide standards, according to Ms Al Basti.
“We also provide the best services for sheltered victims, which are subject to continuous development and improvement,” she said.
The steady increase in the number of cases reflected the foundation’s “success in gaining the confidence of more segments of society”, said Ms Al Basti.
The foundation was committed to ensuring that the victims’ identity and their pertinent information remained private and confidential, she said.
But she said more effort and support was required of other organisations and individuals in providing protection to those who needed it.
Ms Al Basti also urged the community to contribute to the foundation by donating money or clothes, which could be deposited at dedicated bins around Dubai.
The foundation receives complaints from victims through its phone helpline and from governmental bodies.
She said case managers would be assigned to victims of abuse after having determined the type of abuse suffered, the kind of services required and whether victims should be given shelter or classified as an external case.
To donate go to the foundation's website or visit www.ecp.ae
For the helpline call 800111.
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