Reporting child abuse in UAE is a responsibility for all

Parents who do not respond to three written warnings will be face penalties and potentially criminal prosecution for abandoning newborns with disabilities in hospitals or stepdaughters in homes, according to provisions of the new law.

Khaled Al Kamda, director general of the CDA, encouraged residents to take photos of cars in which children are seated in the front and report it to police. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Everyone in the UAE, from teachers to doctors and neighbours, will have a responsibility to report abuse concerns to the police when the new Child Protection Law comes into force next month. Parents who do not respond to three written warnings will face penalties and potential criminal prosecution for abandoning newborns with disabilities in hospitals or stepdaughters in homes, according to provisions of the new law.

Fines for negligence start at Dh5,000 and jail time is likely for parents who refuse to officially register a child after birth. In cases of physical, sexual abuse or criminal negligence of children up to the age of 18, an accused can face 10 years’ imprisonment.

The objectives of the new law, to be enforced from June 15, and the need to educate different nationalities was discussed at a majlis in Rashidiya organised by the Community Development Authority (CDA) and attended by care workers, child specialists, psychologists and academicians on Thursday.

According to provisions of the new law, prosecutions can be brought for abandoning newborns with disabilities in hospitals or stepdaughters in homes.

“Any assault that leaves marks on the skin or causes injury is no longer discipline, it’s a crime, according to the law,” said judge Jassim Al Hosni, the first judge of the appeal in ­Dubai Courts.

“Many physicians refrain from reporting injuries but it is now mandatory for physicians and paediatricians to report injuries to the police, or they could be punished under the new law.”

Each emirate has designated an authority in charge of child protection, with specialists who can intervene in cases of abuse.

Originally named Wadeema’s Law after the eight-year-old Emirati girl tortured to death by her father, the law was issued by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, last month.

Social workers will spread information about accountability to schools and hospitals, with workshops planned by government entities.

“This law criminalises actions such as parents refusing to ­accept children with disabilities and leaving them in a hospital, it protects children from homelessness,” said Moza Shoumi, a member of the ­Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

“We have seen cases of stepmothers who don’t allow young daughters to live at home. They must be taken back under the new law.”

Sensitivity is crucial with the new intervention powers given to child-protection specialists. Social workers will also be cautioned about false cases of abuse filed in divorce disputes.

“Child-protection centres should be active and wise, we must not damage family ties,” said Dana Marzouki, acting ­director of the child protection department at the Ministry of Interior.

“There are specific clauses listed about when and how local and federal entities can intervene. But in cases of criminality or sexual abuse, we will take immediate action and take the child away from that environment.”

Teachers and social workers will be trained to detect signs of abuse and win a child’s trust.

The aim is not to break up but to educate the family. Non-government organisations and lawyers from various communities will be contacted over the next few months with details of the law.

Residents are also encouraged to take photos of cars in which children are seated in the front and report this to the police.

“This puts a child in a dangerous situation when a child is in the lap of a driver, but we see it with locals and non-locals,” said Khaled Al Kamda, director general of the CDA.

“Yes, take a picture, report the car to the police. This is part of your responsibility and how we can create responsible citizens.”

Cases of children being left home alone can also be reported.

“It’s not about moving a child from the family, it’s about educating the family that this is the law and to make sure the child is being taken care of.”[e-mail]