Domestic violence poses one of the most complex social challenges, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and individuals with disabilities. Experts in psychology, social work, and law highlighted the United Arab Emirates’ position as a global leader in family protection and enhancing family rights.
The UAE prioritizes family welfare in all government policies and programs, underlining the belief that families are the foundational units of a cohesive, tolerant, and secure society where all members enjoy well-being and stability.
These experts identified ten steps that victims can take to recover and rebuild their lives, including recognizing the violence, seeking help, ensuring safe shelter, accessing psychological support, obtaining legal aid, rebuilding self-esteem, pursuing vocational rehabilitation, setting boundaries in relationships, preparing for a fresh start, and developing secure friendships.
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Dr. Jassim Al-Marzouqi, a psychological and family consultant at the Al-Nahda Consulting and Training Center, stated that recovery begins with acknowledging that one has experienced violence and subsequent creation of a safe environment.
He emphasized the importance of continuous psychological support through individual or group therapy sessions, along with empowerment strategies to help victims regain self-confidence and decision-making capabilities.
Many victims grapple with social isolation and fear of societal judgment; thus, psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration programs are crucial steps toward healing.
Legal Framework
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Dr. Salem Al-Nahar Al-Shahi, a human and family development advisor, noted that UAE law is stringent in providing immediate legal protection for victims of all forms of violence.
He mentioned that the negative impacts of violence on the most vulnerable individuals, such as children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, significantly affect their self-perception.
He highlighted the necessity of fostering self-esteem and self-worth, rooted in an individual’s belief in their value and the realization that they are deserving of love and belonging without the constant need to prove themselves to others.
Impact of Abuse
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Psychologist Mohammad Ali Najafi from Dubai expressed that verbal abuse, particularly during childhood, severely undermines self-esteem. He pointed out that painful words spoken to children can significantly shape their future personalities and confidence levels.
He emphasized that parents and families should provide unconditional love and care to their children; without addressing scars left by violence, a child may grow up linking their self-worth to how others treat them, leading to a belief that mistreatment signifies they are unworthy of love and respect.
Seven Services Offered
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Sheikha Saeed Al-Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, outlined seven primary services offered to victims of violence, including safe shelter, health services, social and psychological support, recreational activities, empowerment programs, legal assistance, and a helpline.
She noted that the leading causes of child neglect stem from four primary factors: an environment failing to meet children’s basic developmental needs, exposure to violence, unstable home situations such as family breakdowns or divorces, and unhealthy environments characterized by a lack of educational and moral values.
Programs and Activities
She emphasized the foundation’s commitment to providing recreational programs for victims during their stay in shelters, including workshops and events like barbecues, outdoor cinema, arts and crafts, and entertainment competitions, along with offering meals from fast-food restaurants to uplift their spirits.
Furthermore, the foundation runs empowerment programs for women victims of violence to assist in their vocational, educational, and economic rehabilitation, equipping them with the skills necessary to regain control over their lives.
This capacity building, along with resource provision, simplifies reintegrating them into society, ultimately breaking the cycle of violence in the long run.
Seven key objectives of the rehabilitation programs include helping victims secure employment to enhance their financial stability, breaking the cycle of violence by empowering them with various skills, nurturing their talents, and fostering their self-confidence and self-worth.
Skill Development
The vocational training program aims to enable victims to enter the workforce by offering courses and workshops to develop their professional skills and manage small projects across diverse platforms (home-based, exhibitions, or business settings).
Course offerings include English, management, secretarial skills, computer literacy, customer service, and project management, complemented by workshops on job interview techniques, resume writing, workplace etiquette, and personal financial management.
Ghanima Al-Buhairi, Director of Care and Rehabilitation at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, affirmed that the institution acts as a protective shield for victims of domestic violence.
She remarked on the commendable efforts of the foundation in providing aid to women and children affected by violence, in addition to its awareness initiatives aimed at fostering societal stability and cohesion in alignment with the leadership’s vision.