Callers to abuse helpline double

Employees at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children take calls reporting mistreatment at the hotline centre. Razan Alzayani / The National

DUBAI // The number of callers to a free confidential 24-hour helpline for abused women and children has more than doubled since the beginning of the year.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children received 2,351 calls from January to June, compared with 1,022 in the same period last year.

Hundreds of callers were suffering from emotional, verbal or physical abuse. About 9 per cent had received financial threats and another 9 per cent complained of neglect.

Far from being a cause for alarm, however, the foundation views the increased number of callers as a sign of its success in reaching out to the community, making people more aware of violence against women and children and the help available.

“Contrary to what some may think, that the increase in the number of calls that DFWAC receives is worrying, we see that this is a very positive indication, especially since most of the calls that we have received during the first half of this year were general inquiries,” said Afra Al Basti, director general of the foundation.

“These made up 73 per cent of total calls, and calls from victims did not exceed 27 per cent, which means that we are on the right track.”

Ms Al Basti said the helpline was constantly busy, receiving requests and inquiries and offering free advice 24 hours a day. The cases were dealt with confidentially and classified according to their severity.

Of the 627 calls about victims of mistreatment, 92 per cent were from the victims themselves, 3 per cent from official organisations and the other 5 per cent from family and friends.

Ms Al Basti, also a member of the Federal National Council, said 47 per cent of calls were from Emiratis, and 93 per cent were from adults.

Most of the callers were not in immediate danger and did not require intervention as soon as possible.

“The cases that are in immediate danger are classified in the first level and accepted immediately in the shelter after the interview,” she said.

“After studying each case we determine whether the services of the shelter are enough or whether they need be transferred to other suitable places.”

She said the foundation was working closely with various bodies to provide the best means of support and care for the victims.

Police departments were crucial in providing “adequate protection” and ensuring the safety of the victims, she said.

Employees of the helpline had been “carefully selected and rehabilitated enough to deal professionally with various cases”, Ms Al Basti said.

They are also available to answer in several languages used in the UAE.

The helpline number is 800 111.