• Dama Al-Aman brings together 21 local and federal entities under one integrated system, enabling a coordinated approach to child protection.
  • The new campaign equips parents, educators and communities to recognize concerns and know where to turn for support.
  • More than 400 child protection specialists have been trained, strengthening prevention, early identification, and response.
  • The Dama Al-Aman website provides access to trusted child protection resources and guidance on reporting concerns.

Abu Dhabi, 9 November 2026: Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, supported and protected. Making that a reality takes strong systems, informed communities and early action to prevent harm, and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), together with its partners, has established Dama Al-Aman, Abu Dhabi’s integrated child protection system, bringing together 21 partners across education, health, social care, law enforcement and justice to prevent harm, identify concerns early and ensure children and families receive coordinated support when they need it.

The system is underpinned by the Dama Al-Aman Child Protection Policy, launched in 2023 and endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Grounded in Wadeema’s Law, the policy establishes clear responsibilities and coordination mechanisms across sectors, providing a unified foundation for protecting children across the Emirate.

Through the new “Protecting Children Takes All of Us” campaign, ECA and its partners are bringing Dama Al-Aman closer to communities across Abu Dhabi. The campaign aims to make child protection clear and accessible, helping parents, educators and community members recognize potential signs of abuse or neglect, understand existing reporting and response pathways, and know where to seek support.

This shared approach is already making a difference for children and families across Abu Dhabi. More than 400 child protection specialists have been trained, alongside training delivered to practitioners across the education, health and social sectors to help them prevent harm, recognize concerns early and respond effectively.

H.E. Dr. Hessa Al Kaabi, Executive Director, Special Projects & Partnerships at ECA, said: “Every child deserves to feel safe, to be heard, and to know there is someone they can turn to. Protecting children starts with the little things: noticing when something feels wrong, listening without judgment, and having the courage to speak up when a child may need help.

“Through Dama Al-Aman, we want every parent, teacher and community member to know that they have a role to play, and that they are not alone in playing it. You don’t have to be a specialist to make a difference. Sometimes, simply noticing, listening and taking action can change the course of a child’s life.

“Because protecting children is not the responsibility of one person or one entity. It takes all of us, working together, to make sure every child in Abu Dhabi grows up safe, supported and able to thrive.”

Major General Mohammed Suhail Al Rashdi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, emphasized that protecting children is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of families, communities, and relevant institutions to create a safe environment that safeguards children’s rights and supports their healthy development and well-being.

He added that Abu Dhabi Police’s participation in the Dama Al Aman campaign reflects its commitment to raising public awareness of the risks of abuse and neglect, helping communities recognize signs that children may be at risk, and promoting appropriate responses to cases requiring intervention and protection.

He also stressed the importance of aligning efforts and sharing expertise among partners to strengthen prevention, enable early risk detection, and ensure timely responses and necessary support for children. He reaffirmed that sustained collaboration is essential to building an integrated child protection system that safeguards children’s safety, security, and overall quality of life.

Alia Mohammed Saeed Al Kaabi, Senior Chief Prosecutor, Abu Dhabi Family Prosecution, said: “The ‘Protecting Children Takes All of Us’ campaign plays a vital role in reinforcing awareness that protecting children goes beyond intervening when harm has already occurred. It begins with recognizing early warning signs that a child may be at risk, listening to children, and promptly reporting any concerns about their safety to the relevant authorities.

Responding responsibly to these warning signs and reporting concerns in a timely manner are essential steps in preventing abuse and neglect, safeguarding children’s rights, and ensuring their safety, stability, and healthy development in a safe and supportive environment.”

H.E. Asma Al Azri, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector at the Family Care Authority (FCA), said: “Protecting children and ensuring their safety and wellbeing is a responsibility we all share. It calls for close collaboration among all relevant entities, to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to the needs of children and their families. At the Family Care Authority, we bring this shared responsibility to life through our Child Centre, which unites relevant entities under one umbrella to provide integrated services for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. By combining case management and coordinated interventions with social, psychological and medical support, we ensure a rapid response that safeguards the privacy of children and their families, while providing the right care at the right time.

H.E. Al Azri added: “Dama Al-Aman reflects the power of partnership and institutional integration in creating a safe and supportive environment for every child in Abu Dhabi. It strengthens our collective efforts across prevention, early detection and effective intervention. At FCA, we believe that a strong child protection system is built when relevant entities work as one, delivering connected services that always place the best interests of the child first. Together, we aim to reinforce family stability and cohesion, ensuring children receive the protection and care they need to grow and thrive.”

H.E. Mariam Alhallami, ADEK’s Private Education and Charter Schools Sector Executive Director, said: “An education system can only deliver on its promise when students feel safe, valued and supported. For ADEK, this means fostering a culture of care and accountability across schools, with educators equipped to identify concerns early and respond effectively. Dama Al-Aman strengthens this foundation by bringing schools, families and child protection services closer together, reinforcing a shared responsibility to safeguard every child’s wellbeing and enable them to thrive.”

Dr. Durra Alblooshi, Acting Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), said: “Healthcare professionals are among the first to recognise when a child needs protection. During clinical checkups, changes in a child’s physical or mental health may reveal what the child finds difficult to express. Trained healthcare professionals can recognise these signs and provide appropriate care in coordination with the relevant authorities. By collaborating with partners within the Dama Al-Aman system, ADPHC continues to embed child protection as an integral part of healthcare delivery. This includes establishing dedicated Child Protection Units, equipping healthcare facilities with policies and guidelines that support standardised procedures, and providing specialist training on reporting and referral pathways so that children and their families receive support at the right time.”

The new campaign brings this work closer to the wider community, helping more people understand the role they can play in keeping children safe. Over the coming months, Dama Al-Aman will reach communities where they are - from schools and community Majlises to digital and traditional media platforms - offering clear guidance on what to look for, how to respond, and where to seek support.

 The newly launched Dama Al-Aman website provides a dedicated hub for community members and practitioners to access trusted child protection resources, including practical guides and manuals, understand how the child protection system works, and learn how and where to report a concern. To explore the resources and learn more, visit www.damaalaman.ae.

To report a child protection concern, contact the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Hotline on 116111, or the Family Care Authority’s hotline on 800444, available 24/7 to receive reports of child abuse. In case of an emergency, call Abu Dhabi Police on 999.