Family Protection and Violence against Children and Women

As one of the initiatives under the umbrella of the Danish-Jordanian Partnership Program “Save the Children Denmark” and the Public Security Directorate / Family Protection Department are organizing a regional police conference in Amman these days. The purpose is to exchange lessons learned between various countries – mostly Arab – on protecting children and women from violence in the family. Jordan with its rather unique Family Protection Department is a frontrunner in dealing with this sensitive issue and is actively tackling an issue that in many circles is still considered a taboo.

The regional conference is one of the elements in this cooperation. The Danish government funded project is to take place during 2008-10 and has as immediate objectives to build the capacity of the Family Protection Department of the Public Security Directorate (FPD), as well as the staff of its partner institutions (including NGO’s) to 1) address cases of and to reduce domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse in Jordan, 2) provide victims of family violence with professional and caring service and 3) increase awareness amongst the population and in governmental and non-governmental organizations in Jordan and in the countries in the region as a whole, of the problems of family violence.

Some of the steps foreseen for the next two years might include:

• Establishment of two additional FPD Units in Ajloun (also covering Jerash) and Al- Mafraq.
• Capacity building of FPD and Partners to FPD dealing with cases of child abuse and violence in the family in Jordan
• Establishing a reliable baseline and monitoring framework for measuring impact on violence and abuse of children and women.
• Organisation and capacity building of FPD and Partners to train and help other Arab countries in the Region establish similar services/ prevention in the area of violence in the family in their respective countries.

It is an ambitious agenda, but the first phase of the project which took place in 2005-07 was very successful so this will hopefully also be the case for the next phase.

The embassy was invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the conference where I had the opportunity to give a speech, which I have copied below.

UPDATE I: Jordan Times and Al-Ghad (Arabic) published two articles on the conference.

Opening remarks by the Ambassador of Denmark, Mr. Thomas Fouad Lund-Sørensen at the Second Regional Police Conference on “Family Protection from Violence”, organized by the Public Security Department of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark,  Amman 20-21 October  2008:

Your Excellency Minister of Interior Eid Al Fayez

Major General Al Qadi,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

First of all I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you to this Second Regional Police Conference on “Family Protection from violence”, organized by the Public Security Directorate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark.

I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah for her patronage of the conference.

The subject of this conference – family protection and violence against children and women – is a difficult and sensitive one. But it is extremely important for millions of families all over the world.

It is no coincidence that this conference takes place in Jordan. Over the years Jordan has made pioneering efforts in raising the awareness about family protection and by taking very concrete steps to train police officers, social workers and other professionals in the field of family protection. Denmark and Save the Children Denmark have been supporting these pioneering efforts, working closely with the Public Security Directorate and the Family Protection Department.  I wish to thank the Public Security Directorate and the Family Protection Department for their excellent cooperation and for hosting this important conference for the second time.

We are proud to work together in partnership in this important endeavour. It is one of the signs of Denmark’s close relations and strong friendship with Jordan. Denmark is eager and stands ready to strengthen and broaden relations even further. This is the reason behind the establishment of the first Danish Embassy in Jordan one year ago.  

Let me add a remark based on our experience of the past year. We – at the embassy – face from time to time difficult consular cases involving Danish citizens – often with a Jordanian or Palestinian background – that from some reason have been caught between two cultures and a different set of traditions and laws. In this respect we rely very much on the assistance from the PSD and the Family Protection Department. Their deep sense of cultural understanding has helped solving some very complicated situations. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Jordanian police and I wish the best for our future bilateral cooperation. 

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Violence in the family – and abuse – including sexual abuse of children and women – is a global problem.

As parents, as family members, as citizens and as professionals – it must be our number one priority to do what we can to protect our children and our families from violence.

Children’s rights and family protection are complex and sensitive issues in most societies.

Quite often decision makers are reluctant to take the necessary measures to fully protect children and women. In many instances the family is considered a sacred entity and interference in family affairs is a taboo. Another reason might be that decision makers are not aware of effective ways to provide protection.

The challenge is to find ways to address issues of violence in the family – while respecting family values and the unity of the family.

Jordan is a pioneer in this region when it comes to reconciling those concerns. 

Under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, Jordan is systematically putting strategies for change into practise. With a holistic and human rights approach – and within a well defined cooperation model – the Public Security Directorate / Family Protection Department, the National Council for Family Affairs, Ministry for Social Development and their partner governmental and non-governmental organisations, are working together with dedication and high professionalism, to protect the child and the family from violence.  

For both Jordan and Denmark, the protection of children and women is a priority.

In 2005, project cooperation was established between the Public Security Directorate / Family Protection Department in Jordan and Save the Children Denmark.

Exchange of technical expertise between Danish and Jordanian experts has been an important element of this project. The cooperation involves police officers, social workers, forensic doctors and specialised NGO’s. We are now starting a new phase of the project. Focus will be on the regional approach – on the involvement of other relevant countries in the lessons learned from the first phase of the project.

Our fruitful cooperation will continue in the coming years. And in addition to addressing family violence directly, our cooperation will hopefully enhance dialogue between the nations of this region and Europe.

Dear participants from outside Jordan – we know that the protection of children – of families – is also a priority in your countries. We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to learn more about the initiatives taken in your respective countries, and to gain from your knowledge in the field of family protection.

In conclusion, I wish to thank the police officers and other professionals who are participating in this conference. You are really the key actors and the frontline soldiers in the struggle against abuse of children and family violence. Without your tireless efforts day and night – often in difficult circumstances – we will not succeed in our efforts. So this is your conference. We hope it will inspire you and that the proceedings and discussions can assist you in your important task. 

We are proud and honoured to be part of your pioneering efforts and I wish you a successful and beneficial conference.

Thank you for your attention.