Dubai: Human trafficking accounted for a shocking 37 per cent of the cases referred to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) last year, up from 28 per cent in 2008.
Information culled from DFWAC's annual reports indicates that a total of 89 cases, including those related to child abuse and domestic violence were referred to the centre last year. Of them 45 per cent were children under the age of 18. Females accounted for 84 per cent of the victims.
Emiratis (24.7 per cent) topped in terms of nationality at the centre, followed by Bangladeshis (19 per cent), Iranians (9 per cent) and Iraqis (8 per cent). Other nationalities, with one to four victims each, made up the remaining cases. Among them was a baby of unknown nationality who was picked up from the street with no documents. Earlier this month Afra Al Basti, CEO of DFWAC, launched a campaign with health care solutions provider Ex-Health to create public awareness on child abuse - a problem that continues to confront counsellors at the centre. DFWAC and the multinational Unilever also launched a series of vocational training courses to empower victims of domestic violence.
Dr Azhar Abu Ali, the foundation's care and rehabilitation director, said their core services included not just a hotline and safe shelter but also a range of social and psychological services.
