PHOTO
14 December 2016
Muscat: Oman’s chief of public prosecution has called for a national campaign to educate residents about children’s rights.
Citing the first ever figures released for sexual harassment of children in Oman, and speaking exclusively to Times of Oman, Mohammed Al Marzouqi, official spokesperson for the public prosecution and head of its awareness committee, said it is an issue that needs to be addressed. Al Marzouqi said 118 children have been victims of sexual harassment in Oman this year, and experts suggest the real number may be higher than what has been reported.
Al Marzouqi said such figures were released for the first time in Oman, making it difficult to detect any increase or dip from last year.
However, he said that some cases are not being reported to the public prosecution as they can take place at homes, schools or in neighbourhoods.
“Experts do not see it as a phenomenon in Oman, but they agree that it is indeed an issue that needs to be highlighted,” he said.
Sexual harassment includes different forms of offences against the person, all of which come under the title, according to Al Marzouqi.
Addressing the issue of bullying in Oman schools, the public prosecutor attributed it to lack of awareness over children’s rights.
Calling for a national campaign to educate teachers, medics, social workers, prosecutors and various members of society about child rights, he said: “People must be well informed about their kids’ rights. If parents do not vaccinate their children or provide them the necessary medical help, they are committing a crime by law.”
He explained that some traditions can also be harmful to children. “Oman has banned using children as jockeys for camel races years ago but some other ancient practices are still being followed. Such practices have nothing to do with the Islamic faith,” he said.
Talking to the Times of Oman, Al Marzouqi replied to some voices which encouraged disciplinary beating in schools, saying: “Studies all across the world have shown many negative outcomes of beating children.
“If some turned out fine after such treatment, it does not mean that beating works for all.”
“The Prophet (PBUH) never hit an animal, kid or a woman in his life. I wonder how people associate such behaviour with Islam,” he argued.
“We need people to stand up and talk against issues like bullying, beating and sexual harassment,” Al Marzouqi urged, adding that effects of such offences could affect a victim for the rest of their life.
Roma Fernandes, clinical psychologist at the Whispers of Serenity Clinic, said: “It is easier to say that we do not know it is happening then to admit there is a problem and to deal with it. This issue brings a lot of problems with it - the biggest one being shame. We are scared to face and address this shame.
Then there is the legal issue if the case is reported and then the issue of how to help the child through it.
“Once we can keep shame out of this and focus on what is most important – the child going through this - I feel things will be simpler. This child is facing his/her battles every day, what they should feel and what they should do and many times because of fear they suffer in silence,” she said.
She added: “All children in general need to be given the confidence that if any such thing happens to them it is not their fault and that they can be given the courage to report it no matter who the abuser is. We need a strong web, a well functioning system, all the way from the home or school to the public prosecution to help and protect that child.
“The child’s mental health after going through such abuse is also a crucial subject and the child should be given the necessary counselling to come out of such a traumatic situation.
“We have a campaign ‘I am Child Oman’ which is working on creating awareness about child abuse and also educate parents and children on what to do in such situations,” she said.
Citing statistics, Adnan Al Farsi, assistant director, family consultancy directorate, Ministry of Social Development, said a high percentage of children globally suffer from some form of psychological abuse.
“The children who are exposed to maximum number of domestic violence are orphans, followed by cases in which the parents are separated,” he told a Shura Council session recently.
The law ensures that every child in Oman, whether they are a resident or tourist, has the right to live and be safe, be educated and be protected from neglect and all forms of abuse.
Muscat: Oman’s chief of public prosecution has called for a national campaign to educate residents about children’s rights.
Citing the first ever figures released for sexual harassment of children in Oman, and speaking exclusively to Times of Oman, Mohammed Al Marzouqi, official spokesperson for the public prosecution and head of its awareness committee, said it is an issue that needs to be addressed. Al Marzouqi said 118 children have been victims of sexual harassment in Oman this year, and experts suggest the real number may be higher than what has been reported.
Al Marzouqi said such figures were released for the first time in Oman, making it difficult to detect any increase or dip from last year.
However, he said that some cases are not being reported to the public prosecution as they can take place at homes, schools or in neighbourhoods.
“Experts do not see it as a phenomenon in Oman, but they agree that it is indeed an issue that needs to be highlighted,” he said.
Sexual harassment includes different forms of offences against the person, all of which come under the title, according to Al Marzouqi.
Addressing the issue of bullying in Oman schools, the public prosecutor attributed it to lack of awareness over children’s rights.
Calling for a national campaign to educate teachers, medics, social workers, prosecutors and various members of society about child rights, he said: “People must be well informed about their kids’ rights. If parents do not vaccinate their children or provide them the necessary medical help, they are committing a crime by law.”
He explained that some traditions can also be harmful to children. “Oman has banned using children as jockeys for camel races years ago but some other ancient practices are still being followed. Such practices have nothing to do with the Islamic faith,” he said.
Talking to the Times of Oman, Al Marzouqi replied to some voices which encouraged disciplinary beating in schools, saying: “Studies all across the world have shown many negative outcomes of beating children.
“If some turned out fine after such treatment, it does not mean that beating works for all.”
“The Prophet (PBUH) never hit an animal, kid or a woman in his life. I wonder how people associate such behaviour with Islam,” he argued.
“We need people to stand up and talk against issues like bullying, beating and sexual harassment,” Al Marzouqi urged, adding that effects of such offences could affect a victim for the rest of their life.
Roma Fernandes, clinical psychologist at the Whispers of Serenity Clinic, said: “It is easier to say that we do not know it is happening then to admit there is a problem and to deal with it. This issue brings a lot of problems with it - the biggest one being shame. We are scared to face and address this shame.
Then there is the legal issue if the case is reported and then the issue of how to help the child through it.
“Once we can keep shame out of this and focus on what is most important – the child going through this - I feel things will be simpler. This child is facing his/her battles every day, what they should feel and what they should do and many times because of fear they suffer in silence,” she said.
She added: “All children in general need to be given the confidence that if any such thing happens to them it is not their fault and that they can be given the courage to report it no matter who the abuser is. We need a strong web, a well functioning system, all the way from the home or school to the public prosecution to help and protect that child.
“The child’s mental health after going through such abuse is also a crucial subject and the child should be given the necessary counselling to come out of such a traumatic situation.
“We have a campaign ‘I am Child Oman’ which is working on creating awareness about child abuse and also educate parents and children on what to do in such situations,” she said.
Citing statistics, Adnan Al Farsi, assistant director, family consultancy directorate, Ministry of Social Development, said a high percentage of children globally suffer from some form of psychological abuse.
“The children who are exposed to maximum number of domestic violence are orphans, followed by cases in which the parents are separated,” he told a Shura Council session recently.
The law ensures that every child in Oman, whether they are a resident or tourist, has the right to live and be safe, be educated and be protected from neglect and all forms of abuse.
© Times of Oman 2016
