Stock image from Freepik used for representational purposes.
Doha: Sidra Medicine is set to host seminar titled “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Child Abuse: Prevention, Intervention, and Support” on August 13, with the aim of raising awareness and equipping healthcare professionals with the tools to recognise and act on cases of child abuse.
The seminar, offered free online to doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, focuses on identifying and responding to suspected cases of child maltreatment.
Medical Director of the Sidra Child Advocacy Program (SCAP), Dr. Nadeem Jilani speaking to The Peninsula emphasised that community and professional awareness is the crucial first step in combating child abuse.
“Child abuse exists in every society.
In some cultures, physical punishment is still seen as a traditional way to discipline children,” he said.
“But research clearly shows the damaging effects of harsh treatment.
Our goal is to offer alternative, non-violent approaches and ensure professionals know how to recognise and report signs of abuse.”
The seminar will be also addressing misconceptions about child protection services.
“Child abuse can be anything that jeopardises the well-being of a child including neglect, causing psychological harassment, emotional trauma or any act of commission or omission that puts a child’s life in danger,” said Dr. Jilani.
He also addressed fears around reporting, clarifying that child protection services aim to support families, not separate them.
“In the vast majority of cases, we provide assistance and connect families to resources so that children can grow up in safe environments.”
While child abuse remains a sensitive and underreported issue in Qatar, Dr. Jilani noted progress.
“We are seeing more referrals thanks to increasing awareness and collaboration with government agencies.
However, not all referrals are confirmed cases, which is why training is crucial.”
SCAP works in close partnership with national social services, law enforcement, legal authorities, schools, and other healthcare institutions to promote child safety across Qatar.
Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in the national Child Protection Referral System.
Referrals can be made through Sidra Medicine’s on-call line or by the public via the child helpline at 4003 4000.
In emergency situations, the public is urged to call 999.
Once a case is reported, SCAP’s multidisciplinary team — comprising trained physicians, nurses, social workers, and child psychologists — triages and evaluates the case.
Confirmed cases lead to strategy meetings with relevant authorities, and, if needed, children may be housed at the Aman Center for safety.
“Qatar’s laws mandate the reporting of suspected child abuse,” said Dr. Jilani, referencing Articles 188 and 269 of the Penal Code.
“The law place a responsibility on individuals, including healthcare workers, to report suspected cases of child maltreatment, which can include physical, mental, or spiritual neglect.”
The importance of early recognition cannot be overemphasised in cases of child protection, and Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be vigilant.
“Often children, who are being abused, present with unexplained bruises or injuries before they end up with severe life-threatening injuries.
Therefore, healthcare professionals shouldn’t hesitate to ask more probing questions if they find an injury is not explained by the mechanism being offered by the parents or carers,” said Dr. Jilani.
“Timely intervention and providing support could prevent serious harm to a child.
A missed opportunity to intervene could prove fatal as exemplified by many international high-profile cases that we have seen in the global media,” he added.
Failing to act on signs of child abuse isn’t just a personal oversight—it’s a societal crisis with far-reaching consequences.
Consequences of failure to report suspected child abuse could be devastating.
Physical consequences range from minor injuries to severe brain damage and even death.
“Psychological consequences range from chronic low self-esteem to severe dissociative states.
The cognitive effects of abuse range from attentional problems and learning disorders to severe organic brain syndromes.
Behaviorally, the consequences of abuse range from poor peer relations all the way to extraordinarily violent behaviours,” said Dr. Jilani.
The long-term impact of child abuse and neglect extends far beyond the individual, influencing families, communities, and society as a whole.
“The consequences of abuse and neglect affect the victims themselves, their family and loved ones.
It also impacts the society in which they live, putting a huge burden on the health and social care services,” said Dr. Jilani.
He added, “Therefore, it is a very wise and cost-effective strategy to invest in child protection strategies as envisioned in the Qatar Vision 2030.”
To those hesitant to report abuse due to fear or cultural sensitivities, Dr. Jilani’s message was clear: “Please do not hesitate.
Act on your instincts.
It could be the only chance that a vulnerable child may have to be protected from serious harm and further abuse.”
“Child protection is everyone’s responsibility so even if you are a neighbour or unrelated person walking in a park seeing a child being beaten or put to harm, take a stand, challenge, and report,” he added.
