Dubai: During the special interrogation of a 14-year-old mentally disabled child who was recently raped in Bur Dubai, the minor revealed that there was another incident of rape by a second suspect a few months earlier.

The suspect, an Asian in his 30s, was arrested, detained and referred to the public prosecution for allegedly raping the mentally disabled child while he was walking alone in the neighbourhood few months ago.

"It was very difficult to communicate with the child at the beginning but after some time he opened up to reveal the details of an earlier incident that was not reported or known to the parents. He led us to the residence of the rapist who was a few metres away from their residence in Bur Dubai," said Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Humaid Al Merri, Director of the criminal investigation division at Dubai Police.

Upon interrogating the Indian employee, he confessed to luring the child while he was walking in the neighbourhood and raping him in a deserted area close to their residence, he said.

"I strongly urge parents... please! Please! Look after and monitor your children especially the ones under the age of eight and the disabled. They are vulnerable and tend to keep to themselves if they are abused. They don't talk about it because the trauma is too strong for their comprehension. Negligence could damage the life of an innocent child," he warned.

The special interrogation of the child involved having a specialised unit sitting with him, who are experts in dealing with traumatised and disabled children.

These children are investigated while they are placed in their comfort zone. In this case, the child's zone was at his home in a specific corner in the house. He was accompanied by his father during most of the sessions.

"They are dealt with in a very delicate and professional manner. Our police officers take many sessions to know how to deal with these cases and thanks to them we were able to know about the earlier incident," he said.

"The second suspect involved in the recent rape is still on the run but we are close to arrest him," said Lt Col Al Merri.

"However, I believe the boy went through several rapes not just these two incidents," he added. According to him, their studies of rape cases have revealed that many of these cases are committed by suspects who were sexually assaulted or raped as children.

Child abuse

Around 21 incidents of sexual assault and rape against minors happened this year while 29 suspects were arrested, based on statistics revealed by the criminal investigation department of Dubai Police.

This is the second rape case against a minor in less than a month as a four-year-old Pakistani boy was raped and killed by a 30 year old Emirati suspect.