Rabat: The Kanaf Child Protection Centre in Sharjah participated in a series of high-level meetings and specialised workshops in Rabat, Morocco, at the invitation of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child. The goal was to explore ways of aligning Kanaf’s integrated, multi-agency model with Morocco’s national frameworks and to lay the groundwork for institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange to replicate evidence-based practices in caring for children who have experienced abuse.
According to Emirates News Agency, the delegation was led by Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety and Chairperson of Kanaf’s Higher Committee. The meetings included discussions with legal, medical, psychological, and social teams from Morocco’s leading child protection institutions.
Hanadi Al Yafei highlighted that the visit showcased Kanaf’s commitment to building an integrated Arab child protection ecosystem founded on institutional coordination and child-friendly justice. Al Yafei stated, “Our visit to Morocco stems from a firm belief that protecting children is a shared responsibility and that exchanging expertise is the fastest route to building systems capable of protecting them from all forms of harm.”
Professor Ghazlan Benjelloun, Vice-President of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child, expressed honor in hosting the Kanaf Centre. The visit provided an opportunity to present the Observatory’s projects and programs in child protection, prevention, and mental health support, particularly for early childhood.
During the two-day meetings in Rabat, the Kanaf team presented Sharjah’s One-Stop Centre Model, which unites law enforcement, forensic medicine, psychological and social care, legal counselling, and specialized investigations in child abuse cases, in coordination with relevant government entities.
Kanaf also delivered a training session titled ‘Socratic Questioning Skills in Interviewing Child Victims of Violence,’ showcasing dialogue techniques that strengthen communication and help professionals address challenges during interviews.
The delegation demonstrated how Sharjah unified procedures and protocols across agencies to create an integrated system that offers children a safe, child-friendly space where all necessary support is conducted in one location, reducing repetition and easing trauma.
Kanaf’s model has been effective in removing cultural and social barriers, improving the quality of legal and medical evidence, and accelerating justice and family recovery. The model combines humanitarian care with professional rigor, ensuring each child’s protection aligns with a fair legal process.
Building on Sharjah’s experience, both sides discussed adapting the model within Morocco’s national child protection system and agreed to develop a joint roadmap for a pilot centre. The plan will include measurable indicators such as case response times, referral rates, fewer repeated interviews, and higher family satisfaction.
They also explored capacity-building programmes aligned with international standards for forensic, psychological, legal, and social professionals, alongside comparative studies to assess the model’s national impact and strengthen evidence-based policymaking across the region.