Harassment cases few in Sharjah

Sunday, Aug 02, 2015

Sharjah: Four cases of harassment have been reported to Sharjah Police since January 1.

Colonel Ebrahim Musabbah Al Ajel, Acting Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Sharjah Police, said very few cases of harassment have been filed in general in Sharjah.

Most of the cases received by Sharjah Police were verbal harassment over the phone, he said, adding there were also complaints of men harassing women in malls and public areas.

Col Al Ajel said complaints of harassment in public areas are very few but noted that sometimes the harasser verbally harasses the victim and in some cases touches the victim. He said that physical harassment cases are treated as criminal cases.

Physical harassment cases could also be considered molestation cases, depending on the case, which is determined through investigation and speaking to the victim.

However, verbal harassment is not considered a criminal offence but certain procedures are taken at the police station where it is reported. Most verbal harassment cases involve youth as they do not know that this is considered an offence.

He said that parents play a big role in teaching their children what’s right and what’s wrong.

Staff Report