Agency shelters victims of abuse

Dubai: A total of 187 new cases received care and rehabilitation services provided by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) in the first quarter of 2014.

Among these are 14 internal (sheltered) cases and 173 external cases of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking.

As many as “89 cases are Emiratis, while in-house cases given care by the foundation reached 10,” Afra Al Basti, Director-General of the foundation, said.

A further “79 per cent of the sheltered cases are victims of child abuse, two per cent are victims of human trafficking, and other cases are categorised as humanitarian cases. The majority of the new cases are females, with only 46 males having received care and rehabilitation services in the foundation, and 156 of the cases are above 18 years old, while 31 cases are under 18,” she added.

The foundation has launched several campaigns to educate parents and empower the public about the dangers of domestic violence, how to avoid it, and how to stop it.

Afra added that the foundation provides services for domestic violence victims, such as helpline number 800 111, emergency shelter, and support services. It also provides a customised rehabilitation plan for all cases which are divided into external and internal or sheltered cases.

“The foundation receives these cases from the hotline, or through referrals from the public prosecution, courts, various departments and sections of the police, embassies and consulates, other shelters and other helplines in other emirates,” Afra said.

“The increase in the number of victims who receive support from the foundation reflects the success of the campaigns carried out by DFWAC. The foundation not only concentrates on helping victims of domestic violence but it also tries its best to educate the society about the negative effects of any type of violence on the society,” Afra added

As many as “112 finished their rehabilitation programmes in the beginning of 2014, including five internal cases in the foundation’s shelters. These results would not have be accomplished without great support from the government and private sectors,” Afra said.

Afra added that the previous mentioned figures cover only the first quarter of 2014. However, 75 victims of domestic violence and abuse have been receiving care and rehabilitation services since 2013.

Afra praised all DFWAC’s employees for playing an important role in the foundation’s achievements, as they work as one team who do their utmost to achieve the noble goal of serving the community of the UAE.

Nawal Al Ramahi is a trainee at Gulf News