More callers to Dubai domestic violence shelter in 2014

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, which provides help for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, received a total of 3,968 calls in 2014.

DUBAI // Nearly 4,000 calls were made last year to a women and children’s shelter.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC), which provides help for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, said it received 3,968 calls in 2014.

Of those, 396 concerned incidences of violence. In addition, 1,221 callers requested family consultation and general inquiries about the foundation, ways of supporting it and how to volunteer and donate.

Afra Al Basti, the foundation’s director general, said 252 calls were made to report cases of domestic violence.

Twenty-nine calls related to child abuse, and three about sexual abuse.

Ms Al Basti said 362 victims contacted the foundation’s hotline directly, and 27 calls were made by family and friends on behalf of others.

Seven calls were made by official bodies such as police and schools to transfer the cases to the shelter at the foundation.

Almost half of calls were from Emiratis.

Ms Al Basti said most of the calls were from people seeking psychological or social counselling.

She said from the 396 cases who reported violence, only five asked to be sheltered.

“The number of the helpline’s callers is continuously increasing, whether for psychological and social counselling or to ask for help, which reflects the growing confidence of members of the community towards DFWAC.”

She said the foundation had succeeded in raising awareness of the issue of violence against women and children, and encouraging those who are victimised to seek help.

Ms Al Basti said the helpline respected the privacy of its callers and the information they provided.

The helpline, 800 111, is staffed 24 hours a day.