Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The National Family Safety Program (NFSP) runs 45 centers to deal with child abuse in various health institutions in the country. NFSP Director Maha Al-Munaif said there are plans to establish more such centers throughout the Kingdom. The regions with the most centers are Jeddah and the Eastern Province, he said. On Wednesday, the program celebrated Family Safety Day to mark its 10-year anniversary by holding special events. "The National Family Safety Program has been through various challenges and rewarding moments while protecting the children of Saudi Arabia," said Al-Munaif. She said the program has received multiple awards throughout the years. "We received Best Anti-Violence Child Protection Program Award in 2014, Princess Sita Award for Excellence in 2013, Global Women Summit Award for innovative child protection program in 2012 and the Seeds of Giving Award from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare in 2012," said Al-Munaif. NFSP Deputy Director Majed Al-Essa said the program does not only receive children of abuse but it also works on training specialists and raising awareness about child abuse. "The program has offered 36 training workshops and seminars since its inception. It has trained over 2,500 participants. The participants were doctors, health practitioners, psychologists, sociologists, security officers, educators and judges," said Al-Essa. He also said the program organized 13 awareness seminars in various areas of the Kingdom. "The program is also active internationally as it has organized two international conferences on child abuse and violence against children. Our center has a hot line for children or family members of children undergoing abuse to contact. The number is 116111," said Al-Essa. He added the program so far received a total of 300,000 phone calls reporting child abuse and negligence. "The program has also organized 100 field and media campaigns to raise awareness about the issue. The program often cooperates with schools and universities and welcomes youth volunteers," said Al-Essa.
