{
  "id": 19166353,
  "title": "Abu Dhabi communities urged to protect children by reporting safety concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/abu-dhabi-communities-urged-to-protect-children-by-reporting-safety-19166353",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T14:21:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/11/09/abu-dhabi-communities-urged-to-protect-children-by-reporting-safety-concerns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Residents of Abu Dhabi are being urged to report any concerns about child safety through a new campaign called \"Protecting Children Takes All of Us.\" The campaign aims to educate parents, educators, and other community members on how to identify signs of abuse or neglect and how to respond accordingly. Layla Al Hassan, director of communication and partnerships at the Early Childhood Authority, stated that people should speak up if they notice a child becoming unusually quiet, anxious, or reluctant to attend school. It is also important to note that abuse can be emotional or occur online, and does not always involve visible injuries such as bruises or scars.\n\nThe campaign will run until mid-2027 and will be promoted through schools, majlis (community gatherings), and digital and traditional media. Concerns can be reported anonymously to either the Family Care Authority Hotline at 800444 or the Ministry of Interior's child protection Hotline at 116111. In case of an emergency, individuals should contact Abu Dhabi Police at 999.\n\nThe Integrated Child Protection System, known as Dama Al Aman, brings together 21 local and federal organizations from various sectors to prevent harm, detect concerns early, and coordinate support for children and families. This system is guided by the emirate's Child Protection Policy, which was launched in 2023 and endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Over 400 child protection specialists have been trained, alongside professionals in education, health, and social sectors.\n\nUpon receiving a report, the Family Care Authority assesses the situation based on the level of risk. If a child requires immediate protection, the authority can arrange shelter accommodation or ensure they are cared for by another family member. The response time depends on the severity of the case and the specific needs of each individual situation.\n\nRecognizing early warning signs is crucial, according to Dr Hessa Al Kaabi, the ECA's executive director of special projects and partnerships. She emphasized that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and to know there is someone they can turn to. Dr Hessa added, \"You don't have to be a specialist to make a difference.\"\n\nAlia Al Kaabi, senior chief prosecutor at Abu Dhabi Family Prosecution, highlighted that the Protecting Children campaign plays a vital role in promoting awareness that child protection begins with recognizing early warning signs and promptly reporting any concerns about a child's safety to the relevant authorities. Mariam Alhallami, executive director of Adek's private education and charter schools sector, stressed that a safe, valued, and supported educational environment is essential for student success. According to Alhallami, Dama Al Aman strengthens this foundation by fostering collaboration among schools, families, and child protection services, reinforcing a shared responsibility to safeguard every child's well-being and enable them to thrive.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi residents are being encouraged to report concerns about child safety under a new campaign to help safeguard children. The Protecting Children Takes All of Us campaign aims to help parents, educators and other community members to recognise signs of abuse or neglect, understand how to respond and know where to seek support. Layla Al Hassan, director of communication and partnerships at…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}