Abu Dhabi: A new family policy aimed at tackling domestic violence has been unveiled in the United Arab Emirates.
The legislation was endorsed during the weekly cabinet session, chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The policy aims at protecting women, children and the elderly from any type of violence and abuse.
The Family Protection policy will regulate the work procedures and mechanisms of institutions specialising in domestic violence.
It includes mechanisms for protection and intervention, development of legislation and laws, as well as prevention and raising community awareness about domestic violence.
It will also set standards for the training of staff working in the field as well as studies, research and statistics.
A number of initiatives will be launched as part of the policy, especially the establishment of a unified database linking institutions dealing with family protection at the federal level, introducing university disciplines in the field of family protection, and establishing a standardised system for reporting and receiving complaints at the federal level, WAM reported.