RIYADH, 19 April 2004 — A conference on child abuse ended here yesterday with a call for a strategy to combat the practice.
This was the main recommendation of the conference chaired by AGFUND President Prince Talal which brought together 230 experts on child protection.
The conference recommended that the Ministry of the Interior formulate a rapid reaction plan to deal with child abuse cases. The strategy should also focus on creating a positive environment in school and at home.
The proposed strategy should include seven focal points: Family, education, child protection regulations, health, social welfare, social participation and the media.
According to Prince Khaled ibn Talal, one-fifth of children in the Kingdom are victims of child abuse although the Kingdom is a signatory to the accord on the Rights of the Child.
The conference called on Islamic scholars to emphasize in their sermons values that support good treatment of children. It said the organizers must develop effective programs for family education to ensure that it plays an effective role in child care and to promote a safe and healthy environment for children.
The conference also called on the Ministry of Social Affairs to expand social service centers to other areas where child abuse has been reported. Some parents regard child abuse as a way of disciplining their children.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Saudi parent said: “When you beat your child, you are teaching him discipline. You should never hit him in the face or torment him. One or two hits on his back should do.
“However, beating children is the fathers’ responsibility,” they added.
The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were the co-sponsors of the conference.
