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Child abuse cases on rise in Ajman

AJMAN — The number of cases of child abuse, domestic injuries and death caused by traffic accidents in Ajman increased by more than 20 per cent during the last two years, an official form Khaleefa Hospital told Khaleej Times.

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Sun 2 Jan 2005, 11:09 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 7:33 PM

Dr Hamad Obaid Al Shamsi, Director-General of Khalifa Hospital, said that a significant number of cases of child abuse, parents negligence as well as death caused by traffic accidents that were reported to the hospital during this year.

He cited cases of child abuses and some fatal accidents brought to the hospital during these two years. In one case, a child has suffered electrical shock due to the negligence of the parents.

In another case, a child was tortured by her step mother who claimed that such action would discipline the child. Apart from these cases, an increasing number of fatalities in road accidents were reported. Some of the accidents were caused by school buses that were attributed to the negligence of bus supervisors and parents.

“Some parents are not keen to prevent children from reaching dangerous areas like electricity sources which can cause death. Parents should allow the children to play only in the public park in their residential area and supervise them while they are playing,” he commented

Fatima Attah Al Manan, a housewife, said that her husband who came back home physically and mentally exhausted after long hours of work, has persistently shook her 13-month-old boy to stop his continuous and loud crying. The baby has stopped crying but only after he fainted. The baby was reported sustaining minor brain injury, which could be a reason to his death at the emergency section of the hospital he was rushed to.

Marwa Abdul Rahman cited an example of brutal mother who beats her children with a thick whip till they bleed thinking that this is the only way to discipline them.

“Disciplining the children by beating or torturing them is not accepted as it affect the future of the children,” she commented adding, “a tortured child may not develop self-confident and may lack courage.”

Abu Al Qasim, a lawyer and father of three children said: “I don’t beat my children at all, I think about what to tell them and how I speak to them. I use the same tone of voice with children as I want people to use with me. I talk respectfully to them and about them. It’s very tempting to ridicule children in the hope that constantly pointing out bad behaviour will make them stop doing it.

Ziad Al Aggad, the father of a girl who was hit by a police official vehicle three months ago, said that the policeman who was driving the vehicle was speeding and stopped only after 50 metres. “Such driver should be penalised as he violated human rights by reckless driving. Being a policeman he should be severely punished,” he said

Aisha Ali, Head of the Family Guidance at Ajman Social Development Centre, said that children are not born knowing how to be well-behaved. They need help and guidance from parents and others.

She added that teaching children by illustrating and appreciating good behaviour of some children is the best way to discipline them. Children learn by imitating and copying others. Parents should follow the same technique, she pointed out.

“It’s important that we, as parents, show respect to our children. Naturally, children, who are treated with affection, will respect elders and obey them. Although most children tend to be unique individuals, they also like to be part of a group too.

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