Muscat – Ministry of Social Development held a forum on Monday themed ‘Child Protection: A Shared Responsibility’ to raise awareness on preventing violence, neglect and abuse against children, and to emphasise the importance of early intervention and reporting. The event was held under the patronage of Nasr al Sawai, Public Prosecutor. It aimed to enhance […]
Muscat – Ministry of Social Development held a forum on Monday themed ‘Child Protection: A Shared Responsibility’ to raise awareness on preventing violence, neglect and abuse against children, and to emphasise the importance of early intervention and reporting.
The event was held under the patronage of Nasr al Sawai, Public Prosecutor. It aimed to enhance the national child protection system by highlighting the family’s role in ensuring children’s safety and well-being.
Discussions focused on relevant legislation, national policies and the creation of effective partnerships between government bodies and civil society. The for-um also reviewed the work of chi-ld protection committees and sh- ared local, regional and international best practices in the field.
Key themes addressed included prevention, awareness and education, psychological empowerment for children to cope with abuse, community awareness programmes, and handling cases involving exceptional students.
The legislative discussions covered the legal framework for child protection, the role of judicial and law enforcement bodies in family and child-related cases, and issues of early childhood development and women’s empowerment.
Other sessions examined psychological, social and health-related aspects, including the effects of shaken baby syndrome, long-term trauma from abuse, therapeutic interventions, and the role of extended families and communities in recovery and support. Medical protocols for responding to abuse cases were also presented.
Digital safety was another major focus, with sessions on online exploitation and the need for balanced and secure digital education for children in Oman.
The forum concluded with recommendations to enhance coordination among relevant authorities for a unified response that prioritises children’s best interests. It also called for the adoption of the National Child Protection Guidelines as a mandatory reference for case documentation and follow-up, and for integrating early prevention strategies into schools and communities through sustainable programmes.
Participants recommended expanding psychosocial support for victims, develop life skills and empowerment programmes to help children identify and report abuse, and promote awareness about early brain development and the dangers of shaken baby syndrome as part of a comprehensive national strategy.
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