A specialized psychological guide for each of the victims of violence

The psychological counselor at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children’s Care, Sheikha Al -Awadi, stated that the Foundation receives cases and communications through the “hotline” and its various communication channels, in addition to the official referrals from the approved authorities inside and outside the country, then the specialized team studies and classifies cases and communications through the case management system, in preparation for the appointment of a manager for each case or communication (psychological mentor), to prepare a social support plan or a psychological treatment plan according to Status needs.

Al -Awadi told «Emirates Today» that the details and data of each case are documented with complete confidentiality and privacy, while the specialized psychological counselor provides support, and continues the development of the situation and documenting developments in the cases management system, and works to qualify them to acquire self -development and independence skills, as well as to develop a safety plan, including providing cases with communication numbers and disposal guidelines when needed, to ensure that they are not exposed again to violence Or the problem after the end of the support or treatment plan.

The Foundation received 14 thousand and 116 cases, since its establishment in 2007 to 2024, including 1625 internal cases that received support and accommodation services in the institution, along with 12 thousand and 491 external cases that received support services from the institution, and the communication center in the institution received 74 thousand and 981 reports.

The Foundation adopts a detailed policy for accepting cases, starting from the moment it is received until its file is closed, as part of a precise mechanism that guarantees the speed of response and the efficiency of intervention by specialized cadres.

This comes out of the institution’s keenness to apply the best international standards and practices in providing its services, in a way that establishes its pioneering role in protecting and caring for the most vulnerable groups, and ensuring support and support to it with quality and effectiveness.

Al -Awadi stated that when receiving cases that suffer from trauma or psychological disorders, the Foundation is keen to create a safe and calm environment that guarantees a sense of comfort and safety from the first moment, and the team specializing in receiving the case begins humanitarian and collecting basic information in a manner that respects its specificity, then an initial evaluation of the psychologist to determine its needs, the level of risk, and in critical cases it is carried out immediately that includes the provision of psychological aid Initial, contain shock and anxiety, and provide appropriate emotional support, then a individual plan includes psychotherapy and social support sessions, and coordination with the relevant authorities if necessary.

Al -Awadi stated that the institution does not close the case file until after completing the subsequent follow -up, which includes direct communication after 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days from the end of the support plan, noting that the follow -up may include field visits to the status headquarters to evaluate the housing environment, and monitor the developments that have occurred, pointing to preparing a post -exit support plan from the institution, while ensuring complete confidentiality and respect for privacy in All stages, from the moment it entered the institution until after its exit, in compliance with the professional moral charter in the institution.

As for the care and rehabilitation services provided by the Foundation, they differ according to the problem and type of the situation, and are provided by specialists in the mechanisms of dealing with the victims and their psychological and social rehabilitation, who have experience and adequate knowledge of the issues of violence and abuse, and the effects of that.

It includes accommodation services for emergency cases that are transferred to the official authorities in the country, or that face a threat that pose a risk to their safety, in addition to the service provision of temporary housing under the supervision of a work team around the clock, and providing all the needs of residents (such as food, clothing and transportation).

The Foundation also provides integrated social services managed by a social worker who works as a “status manager”, where it studies the case and develops a support plan that includes coordination with the internal and external authorities, providing material support, referring to the competent authorities, in addition to providing consultations, family mediation, home and school visits, accompanying the case to the court, and facilitating legal procedures (such as nationality and residence).

On the psychological aspect, Al -Awadi confirmed the presentation of various treatment sessions and innovative methods, such as the treatment with pets “whose effectiveness in promoting mental health and developing social skills.”

She pointed out that these treatment programs aim to alleviate the effects of violence and psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and post -traumatic distress, as it contributes to raising the awareness of the victims of positive adaptation and recovery methods.

She emphasized that the Foundation also provides professional empowerment and rehabilitation programs aimed at integrating victims into society again, and developing their life and professional skills, through regular educational and recreational activities.

She explained that the Foundation focuses on the aspect of awareness and community education, by implementing awareness programs and educational initiatives targeting various segments of society, to enhance public awareness of issues of violence and abuse, and limit its spread through the involvement of society in the protection system.

She explained that the Foundation includes specialized psychotherapy rooms that are diversified according to the age group and the nature of the condition, such as individual therapy rooms, play therapy rooms, family therapy rooms, and group therapy.

She pointed out that the treatment room with playing for children from three to 12 years of age, in which means such as acting play, drawing, coloring, dolls, and sand box are used, with the aim of helping the child to express his feelings in a safe and indirect manner, enhance his self -confidence, and alleviate the feelings of anxiety and anger.

She emphasized that children who have been subjected to abuse often suffer from disturbing psychological indicators such as panic attacks, depression, and difficulties in social interaction, so treatment plans are based on an accurate assessment of the needs of each child.

Regarding group therapy, I indicated that it is devoted to cases of similar problems, where a number of cases meet in sessions under the supervision of specialized experiences and building an integrated psychological support network, which contributes to breaking isolation and achieving gradual recovery, while family treatment is a space for holding treatment sessions that include family members, with the aim of addressing problems within a health family context, and activating the family’s role in supporting victims of violence during stages Various recovery, where treatment plans are prepared that involve all family members to ensure effective and sustainable results.

She stressed the pivotal role of the family in the process of psychological recovery of women and children victims of violence, which reduces the effects of violence and shocks, and reflects the Foundation’s commitment to providing integrated care through a advanced support system that keeps pace with the highest professional and humanitarian standards.

It is noteworthy that the Dubai Women and Children’s Care is the first non -profitable institution licensed in the United Arab Emirates to be concerned with the care and protection of women and children victims of domestic violence, abuse of children, and human trafficking, and was established in late 2007 to be a safe haven that provides shelter services, protection, psychological, social and legal support, in line with international human rights conventions and standards.

The Foundation seeks to achieve its vision “towards a society free of violence against women and children in the Emirate of Dubai”, through the availability of free services for women and children victims of violence, regardless of sex, class, race, religion, or legal status.

Contact channels

The support line receives communications through several channels, which includes the “hotline” 800111 (licensed by Child Helpline International), “WhatsApp”, social media platforms, and text messages.

Reports are immediately referred to the competent team with commitment to confidentiality and privacy, and to provide service to all without discrimination. The center operates around the clock, classifies communications, referred cases to the competent authorities to assess the type of violence and the level of risk, while developing safety plans and raising recommendations for management in critical cases.

• The “Foundation” prepares a safe environment for cases as soon as they are received, to ensure comfort and safety from the first moment, and the family has a pivotal role in psychological recovery for victims of violence from women and children.

• Children who have been abnormal often suffer from disturbing psychological indicators, such as panic attacks, depression, and the difficulty of social interaction.

• The “Foundation” provides legal consultations to support cases, and direct them to deal with legal authorities, by introducing them to their rights and procedures for filing cases and opening communications.

• 14.1 thousand cases of women and children received by the “Foundation” between 2007 and 2024.