January 2015 Issue 1
Dubai Foundation For Women & Children Publications
She Says The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is a place where the abused find a safe haven, where they are transformed to face the world with inner strength and power, through a team that hopes to make a change every day in the lives of those who need it the most. Raising awareness in the community is a great responsibility that we have taken upon ourselves and by that we launch this magazine because we aim to strengthen bonds not break them and we aim to tell you how to deal with the moments that leave you confused and helpless. We aim to prevent you from harm, we aim to acknowledge those who have supported us throughout this journey and we aim to tell you our story‌
Afra Al Basti Director General
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About Us
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Hero in The Shadow
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We’re Social
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What’s happening
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Facts & Figures
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World Curiosities
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What they Say
10 Know it all 11 Humanitarian Patrons 12
Agenda Number 1 Award
Dubai Foundation For Women & Children
Who are We?
Our Vision
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. It was established in July 2007 to offer victims immediate protection and support services in accordance with international human rights obligations.
A community free of violence and abuse
800111
Helpline
Our Mission
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Chidren aims to alleviate violence against women and children through protection, prevention, promotion & partnership.
Email us on: Help@dfwac.ae
SMS us on: 5111
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Hero In the Shadow
Hero In the Shadow
Mouza AlNuaimi What do you do at DFWAC? Childcare worker What was the reason you got into this job? The love of humanitarian work and taking care of children, and that’s my area of expertise, which only added to my attachment towards children and drove me to seek a job that relates to childcare. Describe a normal day at work? I spend my day with the children at the shelter from morning till they go to sleep at night. I take care of them like any mother would, from showering to breakfast, to preparing them for school and taking them to doctor’s appointments. The children are taught how to pray, languages and respect, in addition to that I make sure that their homework is done and they’re prepared for any quizzes or tests at school. During their free time they are kept busy with
drawing, coloring, and other fun activities that they enjoy before going to sleep. They are supervised from time to time by a childcare specialist who evaluates each child’s behavior and reports it. How does this experience affect you? A very positive impact, in which my love for working in this field has increased especially in terms of dealing with children, and making the right decisions for them and easing their pain and raising them the best way possible. I’ve acquired more experience, patience and respect towards the responsibilities of this role. How does this job affect your personal life? It definitely boosted my self-confidence, and developed my interpersonal skills and being a mother to children of my own in the future. When the pressure is high, and
you hear and deal with sad stories, how does it make you feel? Thank god I don’t feel pressured most of the time, since the foundation offers many workshops that help me to deal with that, and if ever I feel pressured it increases my drive and motivation to act with the children as their mother. What do you to do unwind? I work out when I can, play with children and plan family gatherings in addition to prayer and Quran. The religious aspect plays a big role in reenergizing me for another working day. How does it feel to be making a difference in the lives of victims every day? I’m very grateful and happy to be able to help those children, even if it’s a daily routine job, but being a positive impact in the life of a child is very rewarding.
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We’re Social
Your child won’t lie to you unless you scared him from saying the truth so don’t punish him for being honest with you #Advice #ChildAbuse
dfwac Many thanks to Dubai International School for coming today to present their donations for victims of violence
Having kids doesn’t make you a real father but raising them with love and care does #Advice DFWAC provides legal consultation for it’s clients to help them become more aware of their legal rights and procedures #OurServices #Dubai
DFWAC provides medical care free-of-charge for all the cases through Dubai government hospitals and clinics #OurServices
dfwac #GoodMorning .. a picture of the play therapy room at DFWAC
Be a good role model to your children when you deal with the domestic workers #Goodmorning #Dubai #UAE #Awareness #Domesticviolence
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What’s Happening
Dubai Foundation for Women and children contribute in
Advocating children’s causes globally Visit from the Queen of Sweden Her Royal Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, visited the headquarters of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children on Wednesday November 12th 2014, accompanied by the members of the Board of Directors of DFWAC, chaired by H.E Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat, as part of her tour undertaken to a number of Emirati entities. Her Royal Majesty was received also by His Excellency Major General Obaid Mohair Ben Srour, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children›s management, members of the Board of Directors of each of His Excellency Abdullah bin Sougat, HE Asmaa Abdullah Al Ghurair and HE Afra Al Basti, Director General of the Foundation, in the presence of all the leaders and staff of the Foundation. The visit by Her Royal Majesty Queen Silvia comes among a tour undertaken to a number of Emirati entities that participated in the organization of the Global Child Forum, which kicks off on Thursday November 13th at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel in Dubai for the first time outside of Sweden, which is an independent international platform for research and dialogue and providing information and initiatives, launched by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Queen Silvia and expressed her happiness at the visit, and praised the efforts made by
the UAE in the field of taking care of women and children. During the visit His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat, welcomed Queen Silvia, saying that the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is proud and honored of this visit, praising the important humanitarian role played by Her Majesty Queen Silvia, particularly in children and women›s issues. H.E Afra Al Basti, thanked Her Majesty Queen Silvia and her accompanying delegation on their visit to the Foundation, praising Her Highness›s efforts in support of children›s issues in particular, stressing that the global forum for children to be held for the first time outside of Sweden in Dubai, represents an important support to the regional and international efforts to provide more care and protection of children and to ensure their rights in the region and the world.
The Global Child Forum The Global Child Forum, has partnered with two of the UAE’s leading child protection bodies, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Dubai Foundation for Women & Children (DFWAC), to co-host the first Global Child Forum outside Sweden. The Global Child Forum, was held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority and Chairperson of International
Humanitarian City Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Forum also brought together over 400 regional and international decision-makers from business, finance, state, academia and civil society to discuss improvements of children’s rights as part of the global sustainability agenda. The aim of the event is to broaden the network of stakeholders working for children´s rights and also to support cross-sector partnerships and knowledge sharing in the region. Afra Al Basti, Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said: “Co-hosting the Global Child Forum in the UAE has enhanced the outstanding efforts undertaken by country in the field of child care, either through legislation that guarantees the children’s rights or organizations that provide care and protection for them, where the Emirates is seeking to achieve a competence rank in this field, not only at the regional level but also internationally”. Al Basti praised the unlimited support provided by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to host this event in the UAE, prais-
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What’s Happening
ing well as the great cooperation given to the Foundation by many entities within the state. MOU with Global Child Forum The Dubai Foundation for Women & Children “DFWAC” and the Global Child Forum have signed a memorandum of understanding Aims to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation in the field of child, at the Foundation headquarter today’s morning. H.E. Afra Al Basti, Member of the Federal National Council, Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said that the signing of this MOU comes in the light of the success achieved by the Global Child Forum, held recently in Dubai, which the Foundation co-organized together with the Supreme Council for
Motherhood and Childhood. Shaikha Al Mansouri, Assistant Director-General for Corporate Support at DFWAC represented the Foundation in the MOU signing while Henrik Holmquist, Operations Director of Global Child Forum signed the agreement on behalf of the Forum. Henrik Holmquist, expressed his delight for signing the agreement, saying: “We thank the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for their efforts and their cooperation with us throughout the past period, which had a profound impact on organizing the last session of the Global Forum for children in Dubai as required, and we
hope that the Forum is just the beginning of further cooperation in many other initiatives.”
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Facts& Figures
Summary of 4th Quarter 2014 Statistics on DFWAC Internal & External Clients October, November, December 2014 Total Number of New Clients
Category of Violence
6
7
95
Human Trafficking
Other Categories of Violence Categories Humanitarian Reasons Baby of Single Mother Consultations Financial Aid Reporting Abuse
Referred By Dubai Police
Internal External 15
2
1
-
-
59 16
-
8
Internal External 12
-
7
-
3 1
-
2
-
Self
1
173
Relative
2
8
Friends
-
5
General Public
1
-
Embassy / Consulate Prosecution Courts Hospital
Internal Clients: External Clients:
Domestic Violence
8 Child Abuse
Type of Client Type of Client
Internal External
Nationality National Expatriate Unknown
5 21 3
71 117 1
Male
9
24
Female
20
165
Gender
Age Category Children Less Than 18 Adults
14
8
15
181
Type of Abuse Physical Abuse
8
53
Sexual Abuse
10
16
18
98
13
71
13
42
Emotional / Verbal Abuse Neglect / Deprivation Financial Abuse
clients who entered and received in-house shelter and support services at the Foundation. clients who received services outside of the Foundation premises.
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A piece by The Guardian UK
Domestic Violence UK legislation: Timeline
1857 1860 1870 1895
Rule of Thumb A judge reportedly states that a man may beat his wife so long as he uses (a rod not thicker than his thumb). Many people consider this to be common law throughout the 19th century.
Law of Coverture At the point of marriage, a husband became legally responsible for the actions of both his wife and children. This meant he was entitled to use physical or verbal abuse to control their behaviour.
Married Women’s Property Act Before 1870, when a woman married, her property automatically became her husband’s. After this act, any money she earned or inheritedwhilemarriedstayedhers.
Curfew on wife beating This city of London byelaw made hitting your wife between the hours of 10pm and 7am illegal because the noise was keeping people awake.
Matrimonial Causes Act This act marked a big change in divorce law. Before, a wife had to prove her husband had been unfaithful and show evidence of other faults. After 1923, adultery could be a sole reason for divorce for women as well as men.
Sexual Offences Act This was the first time rape was defined under specific criteria, such as incest, sex with a girl under 16, no consent, use of drugs, anal sex and impersonation.
Contraceptive pill Contraception was made available on the NHS irrespective of marital status or husband’s permission.
First safe house The charity Refuge opens the first safe house in Chiswick, west London, for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.
First select committee A government select committee on violence in marriage is created, and recommends a minimum of one family place in a refuge per 10,000 people.
Domestic Violence and Martimonial Proceedings Act
1923 1956 1961 1971
1975 1976 1977 1988 This was the first legislation dedicated to combating domestic violence. It gave survivors new rights by offering civil protection orders (injunctions) for those at risk of abuse.
Housing Act (Homeless Persons) 1977 Women and children at risk of violence were acknowledged as homeless. This meant they gained the right to state-funded temporaryaccommodation.
Housing Act 1988
Rents became deregulated making it harder for survivors of domestic violence who tried to escape and find private accommodation. Though some argue it helped by developing more supported housing and refuge services.
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1989 1991 1996 2003
Children Act 1989 The law improved levels of child protection and parental responsibility but mostly ignored domestic violence.
Marital rape criminalised Before 1991 it was a husband’s legal right to rape his wife – marriage implied consent for sexual intercourse. This was the first time a woman had legal protection from marital rape.
Family Law Act Part IV Important changes to this law gave police automatic powers of arrest where violence had been used or threatened.
Inter-ministerial group on domestic violence is established This group received crucial evidence on the scale of domestic violence and use of refuges. Women’s Aid played a significant role in providing testimony.
2004 2005 2010 2014
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act This made common assault an arrestable offence. This meant that police could arrest a suspect immediately, rather than leaving them with someone vulnerable while they applied for a warrant.
Home Office publishes Domestic Violence: A national report This report was seen as government›s first public commitment to taking responsibility for tackling the issue through policy.
Goverment strategy is set out to end violence against women and girls The strategy developed a 2011 plan which included financial commitments to support rape crisis centres and specialist training for health workers in the treatment of survivors.
Clare’s law A law is implemented across England and Wales giving people the right to ask police about a partner’s history of domestic abuse.
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Name: Ruby Kennedy Age: 50 Marital status: Married Kids: 2 What does it take to maintain a stable family? • Communicate • Have at least one meal a day to share anything coming up or what happened • Define the aspect of family and how important it is
Wh We a at d s oes ked th e it stab take t public le fa o m mily ainta ? in
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What They Say Name: Masooma Al Moosawi Age: 50 Marital status: Divorcee Kids: 2 What does it take to maintain a stable family? • Find and stick to common values and principles • Highlight and respect the meaning and the value of a family
Name: Garlene Valenzuela Age: 37 Marital status: Married Kids: 3 What does it take to maintain a stable family? • Spend quality time together • Continuous Communication • Maintains respect & love for one another Name: Rinzy Raphael Age: 36 Marital status: Married Kids: 1 What does it take to maintain a stable family? • Respect, Trust & Understanding
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Know it all
Tips&Signs Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a type of violence that occurs between family members and intimate partners which usually takes place at home. It is the use of force by a person to maintain power and control over the other. Abuse is never the victim’s fault, it happens to people of all ages, races, and religions
Types of Abuse Physical Abuse Slapping, hitting, kicking, grabbing, pushing… etc.
Verbal & Emotional Abuse Name calling, yelling, criticizing, neglecting, intimidating through facial expressions, actions and tone of voice, controlling where they go, and whom they talk to.
Sexual Abuse Forcing someone to engage in sexual acts or watch pornography against their will.
Effects of Domestic Violence • • • • • •
Unexplained frequent injuries Anxiety & depression Isolation & withdrawal Low self esteem Sleep deprivation Chronic health problems
What can you do if you face any type of abuse?
• Develop a safety plan and discuss it with your children. • Seek counseling, psychotherapy, and support for you and your family.
• CALL the police if you are in danger, get a medical report in case of any type of physical abuse, make sure you take your money, car keys, clothes, passports and important documents for you and your children.
Barriers that stops a victim from seeking help or leaving The victim fears threat, physical harm, losing children, or the blame of others, still loves the abuser and hope she/he will change.
Remember Getting out of an abusive relationship is not easy, however, help is available. Learn how to protect yourself and seek your options, always be prepared and careful. Abusers try to control the victim’s life, and when the victim attempts to leave they get worse. If an argument seems unavoidable, move to another room or an area with easy access to an exit.
Financial Abuse Making a person financially dependent and try to keep her from getting a job.
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Humanitarian
Patrons Donors
Donor’s Logo
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Dubai Foundation for Women and Children received the Number One award for Care and Rehabilitation Services at the second annual award ceremony of the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Award for Smart Government under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. 12
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