Every child deserves to feel safe. Every child deserves someone who will listen, believe them, and offer help when they face danger.
These basic rights lie at the heart of Egypt’s latest effort to protect children from violence and abuse.
The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) has launched the “Safe Child Unit”, a specialized centre aimed at providing a secure space for abused and at-risk children to speak out and receive support.
The unit takes an integrated approach, bringing psychological, social, and legal services together under one roof.
“The unit represents a comprehensive system to protect children at risk,” said Nadia Zakeer Hemdan, Director of the Safe Child Unit.
“We offer psychological and social support, legal assistance, and immediate intervention for cases reported through the Child Helpline 16000,” she added.
Established in partnership with NGO, Plan International, the centre welcomes children who have suffered violence, neglect, or exploitation.
On average, each child receives about eight counselling sessions.
The unit provides psychological first aid and guides families, helping parents understand and deal with the behaviour changes their children may show after trauma.
In more serious cases, the unit coordinates with other government agencies, including the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as the Public Prosecution.
Children needing medical or psychiatric care are referred to specialists, while schools collaborate with the unit on issues like bullying.
Great care has gone into making the space child-friendly. It features two separate areas divided by a glass panel, allowing parents to watch sessions while preserving the child’s privacy.
The furniture is chosen to suit different age groups, and toys, drawing materials, and building blocks are provided to help children feel more comfortable.
The team consists of highly qualified psychologists holding master’s and doctoral degrees, trained to assess each child’s mental state and the seriousness of their situation.
In 2025, the Child Helpline 16000 received around 24,000 reports of physical abuse, cyber blackmail, bullying, neglect, exploitation, family disputes, street children, and child begging.
Gamal Farweez, a consultant psychiatrist specializing in children and adults, praised the unit’s integrated model.
“Providing comprehensive services to children exposed to violence marks a major shift in how we protect them,” he told The Egyptian Mail.
“A child doesn’t just need to be rescued from immediate danger, but also need help dealing with the psychological and social effects that can last for years,” he added.
He noted that when a child receives psychological support, social guidance, and legal assistance at the same time, their chances of recovery improve, the risk of repeated violence drops, and they stand a better chance of returning to a normal, safe life.
Early intervention, experts say, not only helps children in the moment but also reduces the long-term risk of anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, social isolation, and aggressive behaviour.
The sooner children get proper support, the greater their chances of healing and reintegrating into society.
