Hotline aims to protect children in Oman

Muscat: A child abuse hotline for young victims, or the public, to report cases of violence or neglect to the authorities is to be launched by the Ministry of Social Development.
The issue came to the fore during the last meeting held by Child Protection Committee under Dr. Yahya bin Mohammed Al Hinai, Director General of Family Development at the Ministry of Social Development.
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The meeting, which discussed the achievements made in ensuring child protection in 2015 and 2016, approved the Child Protection Line (1100).
Any victim, or anyone who has witnessed the crime, can call and report the matter using the toll free number. The aim of the emergency line will be to provide children protection from abuse, violence and neglect and also provide them psychological and social support. It will also provide legal advice to families.
Riyadh Al Siyabi of the ministry’s media department said: “The emergency number will be open for everyone to inform the authorities about any child abuse. Once the ministry receives the report, the concerned authorities will proceed to the next step immediately.”
The emergency line will provide children protection from abuse, violence and neglect and give them psychological and social support. The child protection line will also provide legal advice to families.
The move by the Ministry of Social Development to establish a child protection line was welcomed by the public, and several people have expressed their happiness about it. Activists hope that more cases of abuse would be reported as the child protection committee starts receiving complaints.
Welcoming the move, Nasir Al Khamaisi, vice-president of Social Development Committee at the Majlis Al Shura, said this would help better protect Oman’s children. “Such a move shows the government’s care for its children. Children are the future of the country, and there must be clear laws and regulations, which can protect them,” said Al Khamaisi.
He added that the public should positively respond to the move and spread awareness regarding it. “Many such cases could have been avoided if such a hotline existed before,” noted Al Khamaisi.
Last October, Sheikh Mohammed bin Sa’ayid Al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development, had issued a ministerial decision to establish a committee to prevent child abuse in the governorates. Called the Child Protection Committee, it receives reports from individuals or the public regarding any cases of child abuse or violence against children.
Lawyers and social activists have been urged to assist in formulating new Child Law regulations, following a series of child deaths caused by negligence of adults. The Child Law was adopted in early 2014.