4.23 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Domestic violence helpline gets 627 calls

Published
By Staff

The number of calls received by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children’s helpline ‘800111’ increased by more than 130 per cent during the first half of this year, as it received 2,351 calls compared to 1,022 calls in the same period last year.

 

Afra Al Basti, Director-General, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children [DFWAC]

Of these, 627 calls were with regards to domestic violence victims.



Afra Al Basti, Director-General, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children [DFWAC], said they received 627 calls regarding victims during the first half of this year, and 92 per cent calls were made by the victims themselves; 5 per cent by relatives and friends; and 3 per cent were official bodies.

“Eight-two per cent of the victim-related calls were to seek advice and consultation for problems involving domestic violence; 6 per cent for child abuse; four cases of sexual assault, and 11 per cent of the contacts were for reasons other than the categories mentioned,” Al Basti said.

She added that 47 per cent of these callers were Emiratis, of which 93 per cent were adults and 7 per cent were children. And 53 per cent of callers were from different nationalities.

She added: “This significant increase in the number of calls is an obvious indication of the success of DFWAC in reaching across to new community groups and making them aware of the issues of violence of various kinds against women and children, and methods of prevention.

She added: “Contrary to what some may think that the increase in the number of calls that DFWAC receives is worrying, we see this as a very positive indication, especially since 73 per cent of the total calls we received during the first half of this year were general inquiries. The calls regarding victims did not exceed 27 per cent, which means that we are on the right track”.

Al Basti confirmed that the 86 per cent of the victims who were reported through the helpline suffered from emotional/verbal abuse; 74 per cent from physical abuse; 9 per cent from financial abuse; 9 per cent from neglect; 9 per cent from deprivation and one per cent from sexual abuse.

She added that the main reason for all the calls, related to referral of victims during the same period, was to seek advice.

Also, most of the calls recorded during this period were not in immediate danger and didn’t require emergency intervention. In fact, the calls are also classified according to the level of seriousness of each case.

“The cases which are in immediate danger is classified in the first level and they are accepted immediately in the shelter after the interview. Later, after studying each case we determine whether the services of the shelter is enough or if a transfer to other suitable place is needed,” she added.

The Director-General of DFWAC explained that the more people enquire and learn about violence against women and children, the greater the awareness will spread and help prevent such cases.

Al Basti indicated that the DFWAC is working in close
collaboration with various bodies to provide the best means of support and care for victims, especially with police departments to provide adequate protection and ensure the safety of the victim and the rapid intervention in case the need arises.

She added that all employees who respond to calls through DFWAC’s Helpline have been carefully selected and deal professionally in accordance with Child Helpline International “CHI” standards. Also the staff is qualified to answer in all languages ​​used within the UAE.

She said that the helpline - 800 111 - offers advice for free 24/7 and ensures confidentiality.