Sharjah - The police swung into action and raced against time to save the girl.
Published: Sun 23 Dec 2018, 11:49 AM
Last updated: Mon 24 Dec 2018, 8:28 AM
Trolls on social media drove a 20-year-old girl in Sharjah to the brink of suicide, but the police managed to save her in the nick of time in the wee hours of Saturday.
The Indian girl was reportedly depressed over negative remarks made on a photo of hers she had posted online.
She posted a message on social media, saying she would make a video of her suicide bid, police sources said. In the message, she stated she would stream the bid live from her family residence in Sharjah's Al Nahda area around 2am on Saturday as she was distressed at being trolled and cyber-bullied on social media.
How cops raced against time to rescue the girl> Indian girl posts message on social media saying she would live stream her suicide bid.
> Dubai Police's cyber patrols detect message and inform counterparts in Sharjah.
> A Sharjah Police team rushes to her residence in Al Nahda around 1am on Saturday.
> After explaining the situation to her father, the police enter her room.
> They calm the distressed girl down and offer her psychological support.
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Colonel Faisal bin Nassar, deputy director of the Sharjah Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said some social media users had made scathing comments on a photo she had put up, "causing her severe depression".
The Sharjah Police swung into action and raced against time to save the girl. They managed to identify the source and location from where the suicide bid message was posted.
"The police officers from the CID and patrols department reached the girl's flat in a building located in Al Nahda and knocked at the door. The girl's father opened it and was shocked to see the police," said Colonel Faisal.
The police told him that they had come to rescue his daughter, who was planning to commit suicide. When the police entered her room, they found the girl sitting alone in a dark corner, and apparently "preparing to end her life".
On seeing the police, the girl lost her temper. The police calmed her down and explained to her that they were there to help.
When questioned, the girl told the police that she decided to make a live video of her suicide as she was mocked by social media users over her photo. The comments angered and upset her and she decided to take the extreme step. "The police immediately provided psychological support and counselling to cool her nerves as well as persuade her to let go of the very thought of suicide," Colonel Faisal added.
He said the cooperation of police authorities helped them avert the tragedy. The police monitor negative behaviour and intervene to address them "in various technical and professional ways to ensure safety of people", he pointed out.
He urged parents to keep an eye on their children and not leave them in isolation. He also advised them to prevent children from communicating with unknown people or groups on social networking sites.
When UAE cops turned heroes and thwarted suicide bids
October 25, 2018: Ajman Police rescue a 45-year-old woman after she tried to commit suicide by jumping off the fourth floor of a building.
May 15, 2018: Sharjah Police rescue a 12-year-old Arab girl who threatened to jump off the balcony of the first floor of her family building in Al Dhaid.
January 26, 2018: A 15-year-old is rescued after he tried to commit suicide over his parents' remarks.
November 23, 2017: Dubai paramedics rescue a young Nepalese in his twenties who tried to commit suicide by jumping off the fourth floor.
November 14, 2017: A 22-year-old Emirati man is rescueed as he tried to jump off the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi.
June 21, 2017: Ras Al Khaimah Police rescue a German man who tried to stream his suicide bid live on Facebook due to family disputes.
October 13, 2016: The Sharjah Police rescue a Nigerian man who attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a high-rise building in Al Nahda.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
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