UAE joins fight against child abuse

A specialised centre to keep a record of all cases involving children in the UAE was established on Saturday. A ministerial decree, issued by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced the establishment of the new organisational unit which will be called "the Ministry of Interior centre for child protection". The new centre will be engaged in developing strategies for child protection. It will also be involved in investigating crimes committed against children, and ensure that the people who commit these crimes are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The centre will coordinate with various organisations to receive all reports of child abuse. Article continues below It will also follow up with the public prosecution, the courts and relevant police departments to ensure registration of sexual predators against children. The centre will also prepare statistics, reports and distribute them to the relevant authorities to provide moral and psychological support to victims and their families. "The UAE has come a long way in child protection," said Major General Nasser Lekhraibani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Shaikh Saif's office and the head of the high committee for child protection. Partnerships "The Committee undertook several policies and partnerships with various relevant organisations. The continuous efforts to review the laws and regulations in order to comply with the international standards have contributed positively to the development of our society," he added. There will be several units, namely coordination and investigation, social support, prevention awareness and education on the rights of children, and training. The centre will also participate in international symposiums and events, provide guidance on international policies and practices, and coordinate with courts and authorities on all matters related to child safety. The new centre will strengthen coordination with social and media institutions, and work on distribution of information and educational material to protect children and increase the society's awareness of these crimes.