Alwaleed Philanthropies Launches #Albyout_Asrar Child Abuse Awareness Campaign

Alwaleed Philanthropies, chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, launches #Albyout_Asrar child abuse awareness campaign during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Although child abuse is considered one of the most critical issues in today’s society, only 10% of the cases are reported while 90% remain wrapped in a child’s sense of shame or fear of being subjected to punishment from the perpetrator.

Much could be done at societal level to prevent child abuse and neglect including shedding light on children’s rights, protects their dignity and ensures their natural growth socially, psychologically and physically. Furthermore, several international conventions and agreements are placed to ensure that children’s rights are protected. The Human Rights Convention defines child abuse as “any act or neglect that subjects a child’s life, safety, integrity, and health from a physical, sexual, mental, and psychological aspect to risk.”

Child abuse is a global problem that is deeply rooted in cultural, economic and social practices. In Saudi Arabia, 65% of the child abuse cases reported to hospitals include physical injuries such as bruises, welts, burns, scalds, lacerations and fractures. Young children are most at risk of physical abuse. The highest rates of child abuse are found in children under two years of age.  Based on World Health Organization Research, child maltreatment is more likely in communities with high rates of poverty. Available data also suggests that in about 55% of the cases, the perpetrator is the father, whereas in 45% of the cases the mother is the perpetrator.

In the United States, two to four million children are subjected to abuse and thousands are killed by their own parents, while dozens are annually placed in foster homes seeking a way out of the abusive cycle. In the United Kingdom, a recent report released by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, states that four children are killed per week by their parents and 200 children die every year because of abusive crimes.

Alwaleed Philanthropies aims to stimulate community action through launching #Albyout_Asrar campaign to raise awareness, and prevent child abuse and neglect in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.