Abu Dhabi launches integrated child protection system to combat abuse

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority launched a campaign to encourage residents to report child abuse through the Dama Al-Aman system.

This integrated framework unites 21 local and federal entities to coordinate the protection of children across the emirate. The system is based on Wadeema’s Law, which is the federal law regarding child rights in the United Arab Emirates. The government has trained more than 400 child protection specialists to work in hospitals, schools, and social care facilities.

These units aim to identify warning signs of neglect or harm, such as sudden social withdrawal or unexplained physical injuries. The Family Care Authority operates a Child Centre that provides social, health, education, and prosecution services in one location for children who have experienced abuse. A second centre is planned for Al Ain. Every school in the emirate now has a designated child protection coordinator to handle external referrals.

The authority has distributed curriculum guides to over 650 education institutions, reaching approximately 396,000 students. Residents can report concerns to the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Center or the Family Care Authority via 24/7 hotlines. The Family Care Authority provides these services for free to all residents regardless of their nationality.