Neglect tops child abuse cases in UAE

Dubai - In 2015, a total of 270 cases were handled by the centre.

The majority of child abuse cases reported to the Community Development Authority (CDA) concern neglect.
Bushra Qayed, Head of Child and Youth Services at the CDA's Child Protection Centre, said: "Most cases rise within the family. We see a lot of children suffering from emotional and physical abuse due to their parents' divorce."
Qayed said although demographics for child abuse victims vary here, boys are more prone to physical abuse than girls. The most "at risk" age group for abuse is between age seven and nine.
Statistics from the centre show that in the first three quarters of 2016, 230 cases have been handled by the CDA, with quarter four results still under review.
In 2015, a total of 270 cases were handled by the centre. When cases are reported to the Child Protection Centre, they are segmented into four main sections:
> Child who is kept in custody (this refers to children of divorced parents who have to have contact with parent who does not have custody)
> Child protection (child at risk of any form of harm from either his/her parents, school, or any other place)
> Children prone to delinquency
> Delinquent adolescents
As per these latest statistics, 'child protection' cases are the most cause for concern with 140 cases handled so far this year.
Case handling
Qayed said typical protocol when handling reports relating to child abuse works on an ad-hoc basis. "We prioritise each case by its urgency, depending on the risk to the child."
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.
More here: 40% of child abuse cases in UAE involve maids
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 centre'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 centre, three warnings will be sent out before public prosecution gets involved.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai