UAE Ministry of Interior launches Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Campaign

ABU DHABI, 8th April, 2015 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre has launched a campaign under the slogan, "Together to Prevent Child Abuse", as part of the annual initiative adopted by the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior which designated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. It also comes as a response to the initiative of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, ISPCAN, in solidarity with the global policies of many countries that mark April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Office of H.H. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection, noted that the campaign comes in response to the directives of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. He added, "This campaign reflects the vision of the higher leadership to make the UAE a better and safer place for children and families. Children make the present flourish and the future rests upon their sleeves, therefore we must position them as our utmost priority in terms of care and attention. We must provide every child with a safe environment where they are comfortable and able to forge a constructive and benevolent character, one that is eager to serve their community." Major Dr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Ali, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre, urged families and community members to interact and cooperate with the campaign so at to achieve its objectives in raising community awareness and eliminate child abuse. Major Dr. Al Ali also stressed the importance of focusing on the issue of domestic violence and the dangers faced by children as a result of such violence. He pointed out that the awareness campaigns throughout the month of April will include several events that target various community segments. Of the many events, the most prominent include a "Domestic Violence" awareness council, "A Secure Childhood for a Promising Future" symposium, various awareness courses for a number of public and private schools, participation in the Jiu-Jitsu fair, submission of work papers during conferences and participation in a number a televised and broadcasted interviews. Founded in 1977, the ISPCAN has nearly 200 members representing over 100 countries. It aims to enhance the potential that enables children around the world to have a healthy, natural development, physically, mentally and socially with a special emphasis on strengthening the protection of children from all forms of exploitation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395279020850.html