Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, April 5th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center has proclaimed every April to be ‘National Child Abuse Prevention Month’ and joins the world countries in marking this approach to raise awareness on the issue of child abuse.  

Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior said that the Center will launch an awareness campaign titled “Together to Prevent Child Abuse”, which includes a set of events and activities during April and throughout the year.

Major General Al Nuaimi noted that the campaign, as part of its programs, will encourage community members at the countrywide level to play a role in making the UAE a better and safer place for children and families. He explained that the campaign reflects an unstinting commitment to achieve the UAE 2021Vision, by providing a high quality of life in a generous and sustainable environment. “The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center strongly believes in the vital role of society in ensuring child protection against all forms of abuse,” he said.

Adding further, Major General Al Nuaimi noted that the MoI Child Protection Center dedicates the utmost attention to social awareness programs, especially those that target parents. This aims to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to prevent all aspects of child abuse or exploitation within families and communities. He also noted that studies confirm that enhancing parents’ awareness about child abuse issues, the scope of the problem and its consequences on both children and society, helps reduce the reoccurrence of such cases and achieve the desired goal of protecting children against abuse.

“This initiative, which was launched by the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center by proclaiming April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, involves all society segments. It aims to enhance awareness and involve communities in child protection efforts. It also encourages all community members to play an active role to provide children with protection,” continued Major General Al Nuaimi.

For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shimmari, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center, reiterated the importance of community participation and interaction with the initiative’s goals and activities. He pointed out that focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.

On the other hand, Noora Al Mahri, the campaign coordinator, explained that women’s role is instrumental in supporting the campaign’s goals. “Women are not just the mothers or daughters; they make up one half of society and are the “soul of social order”. They can easily communicate with their children with no barriers of fear,” she said.

The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center had recently participated in the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi 2014), and is currently preparing for its campaign to enhance social awareness on the issue of child protection against abuse and danger.

International Reports

Children abuse is a serious and dangerous issue, and international reports indicate staggering facts in this regard. According to statistics, about 5 children die every day because of child abuse. Sexual abuse is the key risk faced by children worldwide. Additionally, statistics indicate that 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18; 90 percent of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way, and 68 percent of child sexual abuse victims are abused by a family member.

International statistics also indicate that most children become victims of abuse or neglect between birth and 18 months. Boys (48.5 percent) and girls (51.2 percent), become victims at nearly the same rate.  In the USA, 3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year; 6 million children are involved in these reports. Additionally, studies and researches show that abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior as adults, while most abused and neglected children will suffer psychological disorders in the future.

Founded in 1977, the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN has nearly 200 members representing over 100 countries.  The ISPCAN aims to enhance the efforts that enable children worldwide to grow up physically, mentally, and socially healthy. It focuses on strengthening child protection against all forms of violence and abuse. For further information, visit: http://www.ispcan.org/

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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