New unit to tackle child sex abuse

Dubai Police CID section will exclusively investigate cases of sexual abuse among minors

DUBAI // A unit for the investigation of child sex abuse cases has been set up by Dubai Police.

Major General Khamis al Mazeina, deputy head of Dubai Police, said the unit will fall under the Criminal Investigation Department.

The news comes in the wake of the arrest of three people for the rape of a four-year-old girl on a school bus.

The men – a bus driver, a cleaner and an attendant at a private school in Nad al Sheba – allegedly assaulted the girl in mid-November. However, the parents did not report the incident until last week.

“The recent rape case of this girl highlights the importance of establishing a specialised unit for such cases due to its sensitive  nature,” said Maj Gen al Mazeina.

The unit for the protection of children was set up at the beginning of the month.

At present, the unit is made up of four people who will oversee its establishment.

“These police officers have received special training on how to handle such cases,” said Maj Gen al Mazeina.

In future, the unit is expected to expand to include child psychologists.

The department will also be tasked with examining cases of sexual abuse between children.