Dubai opens first care shelter for boys under 18

Shawdesh Desk:

Dubai opened a shelter dedicated to male children, the first-of-its-kind in the emirate, on Monday.

Designed to protect their privacy and provide a safe space, the facility, opened by Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, is open to both Emiratis and residents.

The shelter caters to boys who have experienced violence, neglect, or exploitation. It addresses a long-standing gap, as no facility previously existed for boys over the age of 12.

Until now, this group was placed in youth and sports hostels across the UAE, with the Foundation covering the cost for over 20 boys since 2022.

“The shelter has a current capacity of 20 boys, managed by 14 male staff members to ensure a culturally and socially appropriate environment. The team includes social workers, psychologists, residential supervisors, and support staff,” Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, told Khaleej Times, during a visit to the shelter.

Staff are licensed by the Community Development Authority and undergo more than 40 hours of training in their first two years. With this opening, the total number of shelters run by the Foundation has increased from three to four.

Facilities

The shelter includes bedrooms, study rooms, a kitchen, gym, prayer room, recreation areas, living rooms, and counselling spaces for psychological and social support.

Children are referred through community reports or by the police, prosecution, schools, or hospitals. All procedures are coordinated with the Community Development Authority and the Public Prosecution. The process is completed in a few hours, due to collaborative integration between agencies.

In urgent cases, children can be admitted in under 24 hours, with immediate priority given to their safety and well-being.

Each child undergoes a comprehensive assessment to identify the type of harm, which may be physical, psychological, sexual, or neglect. Based on this assessment, a protection plan is established.

This plan may include reintegration with family, placement with extended relatives, or assistance through embassies and relevant organisations, especially for undocumented children.

Rehabilitation programmes

The shelter offers psychological, social, and educational support. Sessions are held individually and in groups, and cover topics such as bullying, peer interaction, and emotional resilience. Facilities include activity rooms, prayer space, and sports areas.

Al Mansouri noted that care extends beyond age 18. “We begin a transition phase before they turn 18, focusing on vocational training and life skills.” Support also includes long-term psychological, legal, and social services, tailored to each case.

The shelter offers accommodation, clothing, food, transportation, healthcare, education, and legal aid, aimed at helping children recover and build stable futures.

Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, inaugurated the new building. The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and Shaikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, along with several senior officials, stakeholders, and Foundation staff.

The Foundation, established in 2007, is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE. It supports vulnerable groups in line with global standards and continues to expand services to enhance Dubai’s social care model.

Adolescent focus

Al Mansouri noted that most cases in recent years involved emotional and verbal abuse, followed by physical and sexual abuse. “Adolescents require special care and awareness due to the sensitivities of their age.”

This project reflects the Foundation’s goal of reaching all children and ensuring no child faces harm without support.

It supports Dubai’s Social Agenda 33 and the Child Rights Law by building a stable environment for children’s well-being. It also focuses on the vision for the Year of Community 2025, which aims to develop a comprehensive social system that supports the well-being of children and provides them with a brighter future.

Source: Khaleej Times