Children being subjected to emotional abuse also, says UAE official

Children in the UAE have been subjected to not just physical abuse but also emotional abuse, said a senior official.

Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shammari, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center, said: “Physical abuse is not the only kind of abuse that children suffer from. There is something even more dangerous; emotional abuse, which means that children are neglected and their physical, emotional and other needs are not met.”

He said: “A large number of students go through serious or fatal traffic accident, and we need to find better means to protect them. We also have to enhance protection inside schools buses. These vehicles must meet the highest safety standards, as well as the most advanced e-monitoring, before transporting students.”

Lieutenant Colonel Al Shammari also said that children must be protected from online risks.

He said: “The Internet connects children to their friends from around the world. However, it puts them at great risk and threatens their safety. Some predators lure children and abuse them through the internet. Furthermore, addiction to modern technology separates children from the real world and endangers their social life. Therefore, the Ministry of Interior is working with different national and international organizations to fight internet child abuse.”

“The Ministry of Interior is working with concerned entities to address the risks, protect children in schools and neighborhoods and protect their safety against people who use force to abuse or intimidate children,” he added.

The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) discussed methods of cooperation that will help provide students with the highest levels of protection against all kinds of abuse.

This was discussed during a meeting held by both parties at the Abu Dhabi Education Council. During the meeting, Dr. Mugheer KhamisAl Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shammari, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center, discussed ways to protect children in schools. Relevant experts and employees from both sides attended the meeting.

Al Khaili said: “We need to build a unified strategy and a mutual framework, which enable ADEC, the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center and other concerned government entities to create policies, programs and initiatives that protect children and teenagers in schools against all kinds of abuse and violence. This can be realized through joining efforts to protect against risks and responding quickly and in a proper manner to child abuse cases.”

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