Victims urged to report domestic abuse

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is urging victims of domestic violence to report it and seek help.

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DUBAI // The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is urging victims of domestic violence to report it and seek help. "When a family member is abused, it can have long-term destructive effects on the victim as well as the rest of their family," said Afra al Basti, the foundation's chief executive. "Our society must continue to work to stop domestic violence and assist in creating a loving and secure environment for our children and grandchildren." She noted that calls to the foundation's helpline (800 111) were confidential.

Maria José Alcalá of the UN Development Fund for Women said: "Violence against women and girls is a plague that tarnishes our very notion of humanity," she said. "When it occurs within the family - what should be for everyone a most safe and loving haven - we all need to ask ourselves where our values are, that we should tacitly accept systematic abuse against women as acceptable." The UN fund has a campaign called Say No to Violence Against Women, which it expects to be endorsed by more than 35 governments, 190 civil society organisations and nearly 250,000 individuals.

nsamaha@thenational.ae