JEDDAH: The first training course for professionals dealing with cases of child abuse and neglect begins Saturday at the Research Center of King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah. The four-day event is being organized by the National Family Safety Program of King Abdul Aziz Medical City and the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), in collaboration with the Charitable Society for Family Protection in Jeddah. Samira Khalid Al-Ghamdi, the chairperson of the board of directors of the Charitable Society for Family Protection, said the course, adopted by the Saudi Commission of Health Specialists, will introduce advanced skills on how to diagnose cases of child physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. There will also be a focus on the latest developments and scientific research. Professionals who will benefit from the course include judges, lawyers, security specialists, psychologists, social workers, child care specialists and nurses. Prominent local and Arab specialists will speak at the course, including Dr. Hani Jahshan from Jordan, Dr. Abdul Wadood Kharboush from Morocco, Colonel Saleh Al-Habashi, Dr. Majid Al-Ees and Dr. Maha Al-Munif. Key issues to be tackled include the roots of violence, social risk factors, indicators of physical abuse, assessments and interventions, and legislation on child protection in the Kingdom. The Charitable Society for Family Protection recently signed a cooperation agreement with the National Family Safety Program to raise community awareness on these issues.
