Abu Dhabi: Schools and kindergarten institutions should set policies for child protection and train caretakers on early detection of abuse among young pupils, experts said.
During a training programme attended by 258 nursery staff and administrative officials, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Affairs highlighted the importance of implementing inspection procedures such as checking the criminal background of any person working at the educational institutions who might come into contact with the children.
The Ministry of Interior has already declared April National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the UAE.
Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, called on all participants at the event, especially nursery caretakers, to play their role to the fullest, in terms of identifying and reporting any signs of abuse against children.
Maj Gen Al Nuaimi also urged parents to protect their children from any kind of psychological and physical abuse, highlighting the importance of providing children with care and emotional support, to produce a healthy society free of social problems that could compromise its security and stability.
He underscored the need to identify the causes of physical, sexual or emotional abuse against children at nurseries, and to set up the appropriate emotional response in order to integrate children back into society to pursue a normal life. “Early prevention and treatment positively impact the emotional state of abused children and their future …some individuals still ignore the basic components of a healthy family, not to mention common misconceptions that children are a means of entertainment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Faisal Mohammad Al Shammari, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre, said that some conservative societies still cover up cases of sexual abuse against children.
“There are still untold abuse cases against children, despite the tireless calls from relevant authorities on the need to identify and report such crimes to avoid their recurrence and protect children as is the case in developed countries that have made great strides in this area,” Lt Col Al Shammari said.
