DUBAI // Emotional abuse is among the most prevalent forms of domestic violence.
A report by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) said the centre helped 124 victims of domestic abuse in the second quarter this year.
Amna Al Mutawa, a counsellor at the foundation, said although statistics show verbal abuse was the most common type of abuse, emotional abuse was the most prominent and one of the most psychologically damaging forms of domestic violence. Its prevalence was hard to measure.
“Emotional abuse is the most widespread, and it gives a person a feeling of humiliation,” she said.
“It results from certain behaviours that deny a person their rights and needs, and is one of the most prevalent types.
“We always find difficulty in reporting emotional abuse, because it is always present, in every type of abuse found.”
Of the 124 cases, about nine in 10 women were abused by their husbands, said Afra Al Basti, the director general of DFWAC.
Others were subjected to abuse by their fathers, stepfathers, mothers or brothers.
Ms Al Basti said most women were subjected to more than one type of abuse, with almost every case – 99 per cent – having evidence of verbal abuse.
About 75 per cent of the women had also been subjected to neglect or deprivation, 55 per cent suffered from physical abuse, and 52 per cent from financial abuse.
Sixteen per cent of the women had reported sexual abuse.
The victims were all over 18 years old, and 41 were UAE nationals.
The foundation provided shelter for two of the women.
“Cases which need shelter are those women who have nowhere else to go, or those whose lives are in danger,” Ms Al Basti said.
“In other cases, it could be a risk to remain in a certain place.
“The cases are evaluated by the case manager. This is only for a limited time – between a month and three months – but it could be extended depending on the case, and after studying the case and evaluating it.”
Treatment and support plans are then used to help victims.
Whenever a case reaches the foundation, a case manager looks into it to determine the type of abuse and what services are required to aid the victim.
Ms Al Basti said a follow-up plan is also implemented to ensure the safety of the victim.
All cases are dealt with confidentially and are transferred to special authorities to aid the victim if needed.
Of the total cases, 113 victims contacted the foundation directly. Authorities or friends and relatives of the victims alerted the foundation in other instances.
Last year, DFWAC received a total of 3,968 calls, with 252 being categorised as domestic abuse cases.
To report a case to the foundation, call the helpline at 800111, which is available 24 hours a day.
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