Dubai, UAE: People convicted of sexual assault or child pornography cannot be employed in jobs that place them in contact with children or involved in any activity involving kids up to the age of 18 years, as part of wide-ranging child protection measures detailed in Wadeema’s Law.
In a detailed Child Protection Measures section, federal authorities and local authorities have been asked to set “necessary controls and procedures in relation to child safety in public and entertainment spaces as well as public transport.”
As a consequence of the law effective from June, employers will need to conduct thorough background checks on staff, legal experts said.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will keep a confidential register of people involved in child mistreatment cases that can only be accessed with consent from the court or public prosecutors.
As a consequence of the new law, employers need to conduct thorough background checks on their staff, according to legal experts.
“They will be liable and will have the liability of a higher sentence if they do not report any offence against children,” said Hassan Elhais, a lawyer at Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultancy. He urged companies to hold regular educational and awareness sessions for employees.
“A good record is a good sign but it does not mean that the person will not commit a crime. They will need to check backgrounds of their members, monitor and watch them doing the work. The real guarantee for any corporate would be by watching their members, teaching them how to deal with children and educating them in case there is any breach of the Child Protection Law.”
Relatives, caregivers, health workers, teachers or officials who do not offer assistance to a child and fail to notify authorities about child abuse cases can be fined up to Dh50,000.
The law also states that a person convicted of child sexual assault may not live within a five-kilometre radius of the victim’s residence.
A person convicted of sexual assault against a child can only be released after a psychological test ascertains they are not a social risk.
If safety cannot be guaranteed, the law asks the court to order their placement in an asylum after they complete their sentence, said Jassim Al Hosni, the first judge of appeal in Dubai Courts.
© The National
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