According to the Nation of
Gulf News (August 5, 2013), there is 24-hour service in Sharjah (UAE) to help child victims and report abuse. Round-the-clock services can be obtained in different ways. They are the following: phone Helpline is available – the number is 800700. Communication boxes at schools and centres are there where complaint can be slipped into. Email:
helpline@socialservice.ae will immediately focus on complaints.
The aim is to check abuse cases and increase the crime-reporting in order to protect victims. All calls are confidential. The Helpline is backed by professional crisis counselors, who through interpreters can provide assistance in Arabic and English. The Helpline offers crisis intervention, information, literature and referrals to hundreds of emergency, social service and support resources. The code of privacy is maintained throughout.
The Child Protection Centre in Sharjah is regarded one of its first kind, and was established in 2007. It has received calls from all emirates of UAE. According to Ahmed Ibrahim Al Tartoor, Director of Protection of Children’s Rights Administration at Sharjah Social Service Centre, the service received 305 cases in 2012 and another 221 cases during the first six months of 2013. According to Ahmed Ibrahim Al Tartoor – the calls came from different categories of people. Distressed parents seeking crisis intervention, concerned citizens, neighbours giving clues in response to child abuse are among the categories to call Helpline.
Geeta Chhabra
