Sharjah child abuse hotline gets 487 calls in 6 months

The calls included reports about sexual abuse, physical abuse by parents, care givers or others and negligence, said Amina Al Rifai, director of Child Rights Protection Division (CRPD) at Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD).

The 54 child abuse cases reported to the hotline needed immediate attention, as these children were exposed to violence by their family members or those around them.

Others were left alone in public places or outside the house for long periods of time, endangering their lives, while some were neglected and denied the required medical treatment.

The child rescue team comprising social workers, psychiatrists, parenting experts, and child care specialists are working efficiently to alleviate the risks posed to the children and ensure their safety as soon as possible, pointed out Al Rifai.

Runaway teens

The child abuse cases also include teenage girls or boys who run away from their families due to physical abuse such as beating by their parents, brother or a relative. Hitting a child is an unwise act, as this affects their ability to learn things positively, she said.

Most of the time, especially during summer vacation, children run away from their homes and some of them approach the CRPD to complain about their situation. The expert team first receives them in a friendly way and then contacts their parents and police to inform them about their condition. The team provides them guidance, counselling and shelter until the problems are resolved.

She explained that CRPD deals with all types of abuse suffered by the children - including psychological, physical and sexual - as well as neglect, while securing their right to education, health care and identification papers. "SSSD seeks to provide various kinds of care and support to protect and secure the rights of the child and ensure the appropriate environment so that every child can enjoy a dignified and safe life.

Apt response

Al Rifai pointed out that the child rescue team also responded to 433 child abuse calls that didn't need urgent intervention. The team provided counselling, advice and guidance and solved the cases within the family. "Each complaint call was handled according to procedures and mechanisms set up by SSSD," she added.

While providing guidance to parents through legal, social, psychological and health counselling, the team also directs the child to protect himself from harm and danger, and report any attack or assault to the police stations. This will help the authorities to intervene and impose appropriate punishment to deter anyone who abuses a child, Al Rifai said.

The child helpline receives calls 24x7. The calls must be about children under the age of 18 who are subject to abuse, violence, or danger.