With the launch of an independent child protection system spearheaded by JRF in 1997, Jordan became the first country in the region to address the tabooed topic of child abuse, by introducing a pioneering system - The National Family Protection System, which allows intervention in cases of abuse. The System assumed a multidisciplinary model aiming at holistically addressing the needs of cases reported within it. This model is manifested through the National Task Force for Family Protection that operates under the umbrella of the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), which in and of itself represents sixteen governmental and non-governmental organizations working in various sectors related to the well-being of families.
As the first model for an Arab Family Protection System, national efforts have been rallied to ensure that it is built on a scientifically sound, as well as culturally appropriate model. Achievements since 1997 have been immense - a national framework for family protection which outlines the role of each organization concerned with domestic violence and child abuse has been developed and endorsed; a range of capacity building programs have been conducted; protocols and procedures have been developed within key organizations; and a national law on Family Protection has been sanctioned. Moreover, the Kingdom is party to more international human rights treaties than other countries in the region, and has taken steps to harmonize national laws with the requirements of these conventions.
Facts on Child Abuse in Jordan:
In 2010, the Family Protection Department (FPD) received a total of 8,605 cases; 15% of which were referred to governors, 61% were referred to social service offices, and the remaining 24% of cases were handled by the FPD.
Professionals agree that this number represents a small percentage of actual cases in Jordan. Furthermore, it is evident that the value of each type of abuse is also not accurately represented by the reporting, due to several variables related to the values Jordanians place on reporting on one hand, and the severity of the cases of abuse in connection with the burdens of reporting on the other hand (e.g. neglect is not considered by many Jordanians as an abuse to be reported as physical abuse).
According to a study that was conducted by UNICEF Jordan on “Violence against Children in Jordan”; (Elayyan, 2007) it was found that 50% of children are physically abused by family members and school teachers and administrators, while around one third are physically abused by neighborhood adults and children. With regards to sexual abuse, 2 to 7 children out of every 100 are sexually abused by family members and schools teachers and administrators.
The Jordan River Child Safety Program (JRCSP)
Since 1997, JRF has been working relentlessly to implement and achieve the goals of the Jordan River for Child Safety Program (JRCSP), and in turn secure children’s rights and safety and enhance positive child-rearing practices. JRCSP also strives to strengthen positive healthy interactions between family members, particularly with regards to nurturing children within the family - the basic building-block of society.
The prevention and intervention services provided by JRCSP are unique in terms of their holistic and integrated approach to tackling child abuse. In addition to provision of services, the Program acts as a “facilitator of change” and capacity builder at the national level.
JRCSP aims to:
- To improve child protection and create a safe and healthy environment for Jordanian children
- To lower the rates of violence against children at home and school in targeted local communities and foster positive family dynamics through prevention programs and early interventions
- To secure comprehensive rehabilitation services for child victims of violence and their families
- To educate the general public about definitions, forms, risk factors and consequences of child abuse, and provide insight into developmentally appropriate child-rearing practices
- To raise the capacity of other child rights and protection organizations nationally through exchange of experiences, education and training