TDT | Manama
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain has taken an important step in child protection with the announcement of the ground-breaking Single Interview in Child Sexual Assault Cases project.
Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadl Al Buainain proudly introduced the initiative, a first of its kind in the region.
The project aims to prioritize children’s mental health and revolutionize the investigative process by standardizing criminal procedures during interrogations.
The launch ceremony, which was attended by British Ambassador Alastair Long, demonstrated a collaborative approach to tackling the critical issue of child sexual assault.
Dr. Al Buainain emphasized that the project will have a positive impact on children’s mental health, as it unifies criminal procedures for both victims and defendants in such cases.
The project will establish a legal and social framework that focuses on protecting children’s rights, preserving their dignity, and maintaining their psychological and moral integrity, in line with national standards.
optimism
Dr. Al Buainain praised the dedicated efforts of the project team and expressed optimism about the positive results expected from the implementation of the project in judicial proceedings.
The British Ambassador praised the importance of this project in the protection of children’s rights, praising the Attorney General’s visionary leadership and the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s continued efforts in this important area.
Cooperation between the Public Prosecution Service and the British Embassy played an important role in conveying the British experience to Bahrain.
The development of this project involved a committee including members of the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Islamic Affairs and Endowment, the Legislative and Legal Opinion Committee, and the Child Protection Center of the Ministry of Social Development.
The committee worked closely with criminal justice expert Paula Jack from the UK-based NICO Foundation.
Recommendations
After its establishment, the Committee submitted its recommendations to the Attorney General, forming the framework for the “Single Interview in Child Sexual Assault Cases” project. In preparation for the implementation of the project, the public prosecutor’s office conducted a comprehensive training program on child interrogation mechanisms.
The program involved 869 participants from various authorities, including the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Child Protection Centres.