Queen Rania visits Dar Al Aman

Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday paid a visit to Dar Al Aman, where she checked on the facilities and received an update on the latest methods being used to deal with abused children and their families. Dar Al Aman is part of the Jordan River Foundation’s (JRF) Child Safety intervention programme. Her Majesty, who has chaired the JRF board of trustees since 1995, pioneered the first Arab initiative of its kind by establishing the Child Safety programme in 1997. The programme`s objectives include enhancing positive child-rearing practices to protect children, as well as ways to identify, confront and eliminate different kinds of abuse through awareness, training, prevention and intervention. Accompanied by JRF Director Valentina Qussisiya, the Queen met with a group of “Families and Children Helpline” volunteers who briefed her on their role; how they deal with the calls and the referral process of severe cases of abuse. Dar Al Aman acting Director Zeina Abu Innab moderated the meeting. Established in 2007, “110 for Families and Children” is a free helpline that provides psychological support and parental guidance to empower the family in order to protect the well-being of children in Jordan. Today the helpline is a member of the Child Helpline International network; a global member network of helplines in 160 countries. Her Majesty also met with Dar Al Aman social and psychological specialists and counsellors to discuss their experiences and challenges. The Queen also received updates on the new therapy method, “Life Story Book” which was adopted by Dar Al Aman since Her Majesty’s last visit in January 2010. Dar Al Aman, the first child safety centre in the Arab world, provides shelter and care for sexually, physically and emotionally abused children who are treated and evaluated before being integrated into their rehabilitated families. Since its inception 12 years ago, the centre has offered counselling and rehabilitation services to hundreds of children.