Sharjah upskills officials to boost fight against child abuse
How to spot signs of mistreatment and care for victims covered by the session
Sharjah: A new multi-agency child protection centre in Sharjah, called Kanaf, has hosted its first programme, which saw officials receive training in combating child abuse.
The Child Safety Department (CSD), through Kanaf, which provides prompt legal, psychological, and social support to child victims of physical and sexual abuse, organised the training programme, titled ‘The Methods of Listening and Dealing with Child Victims of Violence, in conjunction with the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (June 4).
The first session featured Dr Bunna Buzboun from Bahrain, bringing 30 years of experience in diagnosis, psychological, and pedagogic treatment. The session’s objective was to facilitate the recruitment of psychological and legal experts, as well as representatives from government entities focused on child protection. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the child safety and protection landscape within Kanaf’s framework.
Avoiding complications
During the session, which saw the participation of child care training staff and experts, Dr Buzboun presented methods for handling child victims of violence.
The session focused on advancements in medicine, psychotherapy, and mentorship in the context of protecting children who have fallen victim to abuse. It emphasised the importance of avoiding situations that could further complicate the impact of abuse on these children. Additionally, the session explored the utilisation of advanced technologies for communicating with abused children, offering a comprehensive examination of hypotheses, challenges, and solutions tailored to each case’s specific circumstances.
Furthermore, the session extensively covered various forms of child abuse, specifically addressing the handling of victims of sexual abuse. It highlighted the potential long-term consequences that may impact abused children. The session provided practical methods and guidelines to help educators and child care providers recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse.
Moreover, the session shed light on the detrimental consequences of parents failing to recognise changes in their children’s behaviour, emphasising the negative impact of negligence on a child’s trust in their parents. Furthermore, the session provided established definitions of child abuse, as documented in studies conducted by prominent international psychoanalysts and experts. It also explored the psychological repercussions experienced by victims of child abuse.
The session also showcased examples of various forms of abuse that children may encounter in their daily lives, whether at home, school, during playtime, or while engaging in physical activities. It stressed the significance of raising awareness within families and communities regarding child protection and safety to ensure that children grow up in environments that foster their physical and psychological well-being. Recognising children as the future generation and potential parents, the session emphasised the importance of their affection, care, and protection.
About Kanaf
Kanaf was established under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA). Under the directions of Sheikha Jawaher, the CSD started working on the inception of Kanaf to provide legal, psychological and social support to child victims of physical and psychological abuse, along with their parents and families, in addition to uniting child safety procedures to help entities provide referral and treatment services in one place that has inclusive facilities.
In 2022, she issued an administrative decision to form the higher committee of Kanaf.