Relatives, Maids Behind Most Child Abuse Cases in UAE
Child harassment has increased in the UAE, with 40 reported cases in 2012 increasing to 51 in 2013 and 57 in 2015.
Around 45 percent of child harassment cases are committed by relatives and in 40 percent of cases, maids are involved, according to a study.
The majority of child abuse cases reported to the Community Development Authority (CDA) concern neglect, reported Khaleej Times.
Statistics from the center showed that in the first three quarters of 2016, 230 cases have been handled by the CDA, with quarter four results still under review, the report said. A total of 270 cases were handled by the center in 2015.
Cases of high importance, like sexual abuse or children left at home alone, are referred immediately to the police so as they can preserve and gather evidence at the scene, said the news portal.
But in low to medium cases, the CDA team responds directly. “Cases of medium importance, like school staff querying neglect or malnutrition, will be acted upon within 24 to 48 hours by the center’s staff. Then, in cases of low importance, like children behaving badly or staying out late, the staff will react within a maximum of five days.”
And in cases where family does not accept intervention from the center, three warnings will be sent out before public prosecution gets involved, reported Khaleej Times.
Dr. Abdulla Murad, Director of the Decision Making Center of Dubai Police, reportedly said that most sexual harassment crimes ‘are kept in the dark.’ “People should not allow children to go or sleep with elders, even relatives. Parents should also be careful that children do not watch intimate scenes.”
A public prosecutor at the Sharjah court said that many families avoid informing authorities as they do not want the child to be affected by visits to police stations or courts. In some cases, the children don’t inform their parents, due to fear of the assaulter or their families.
The Dubai Police has assigned policewomen to deal with children so that they can express themselves easily.
“Families should not be scared to inform the police, as the information will be treated confidentially and the child’s identity will not be revealed,” Murad was quoted as saying by the news portal.
Legal consultant Murtada Majed said that the child law has tackled all points regarding child protection, including the role of a social worker in psychological counselling and rehabilitation. The law criminalizes those who harass and also parents who neglect their children, reported Khaleej Times.
(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)