Muscat – Oman marked the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse on Monday with an event reaffirming national efforts to strengthen child protection systems and raise public awareness about all forms of abuse.

Organised by the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), the ceremony highlighted national laws, reporting tools and procedures designed to ensure a safe environment for children. The event, held under the patronage of H E Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Saidi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, included a theatrical performance emphasising children’s rights and shared responsibility for their protection.

Haitham bin Salem al Khadouri, Director of the Family Protection Department at MoSD, said the ministry continues to work towards building a comprehensive national protection system. This includes implementing care and protection strategies, activating monitoring and reporting hotlines, and strengthening cooperation with local and international organisations. Specialised teams, he added, follow up on cases and offer psychological and social support in coordination with partner agencies.

Two dialogue sessions were held during the event. The first, titled Integrating Roles Between Justice and Social Welfare, brought together representatives from key institutions. MoSD outlined the legal and regulatory framework under the Child Law, the Oman Human Rights Commission reviewed its awareness initiatives, and the Royal Oman Police detailed its procedures for handling reports through protection committees, trained officers, the Juvenile Police Unit and a dedicated hotline.

The second session, Strengthening Community Partnerships for Child Protection, featured a Unicef presentation on the strategic pillars of Oman’s protection system, focusing on prevention, system strengthening and family support. The Ministry of Health discussed therapeutic interventions for abuse cases, noting the integration of health and psychological services and the long-term impact of adverse childhood experiences. The Ministry of Education outlined its school-based prevention and awareness programmes.

MoSD affirmed that child protection remains a national priority. It highlighted the launch of the Child Protection Guide in September to standardise procedures and define institutional roles in addressing neglect and abuse.