MUSCAT: The training workshop on child forensic interviews concluded on Wednesday. It was organised by the National Committee for Family Affairs for specialised participants in interviewing children from the ministries of Social Development, Education, and Health, the Royal Oman Police, and the Council of Administrative Affairs for the Judiciary, and the Public Prosecution.
Such interviews of children help to extract and collect information from the child and use it in his/her legal status. These interviews are conducted by specialists such as physicians, psychologists, social workers and others, who are trained in child forensic interview protocols.
On the importance of this workshop, Dr Mohammed bin Ali al Marzouqi, a certified trainer in public prosecution and law, said that it is the first national initiative adopted by the National Committee for Family Affairs, which brings together under its umbrella all the parties concerned with the childhood sector. He said practical reality has resulted in the growing problems related to children under the age of 18 years, and this group constitutes 40 per cent of the population of the Sultanate of Oman.
The National Committee for Family Affairs is concerned with taking steps within a general umbrella intended to build a protection system for children. This system is based on creating human capabilities and qualifying them scientifically to enable them to deal with childhood issues.
However, he said that there are still many difficulties that need to be overcome, whether from the legislative side or the application side. “We are now setting this protocol and we share visions, difficulties and challenges with these parties. We are brainstorming to come out with recommendations to be submitted to decision-makers in the bodies that have membership in the National Committee for Family Affairs.”
Dr Mohammed indicated that the forensic interview for children is an important tool in the child protection system. An effective interview leads to building evidence and achieving justice for those who committed crimes or acquitting those innocent.
