Doha, 21 jan. 2020

Sidra Medicine will be hosting a conference in partnership with the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) from 15 to 17 February 2020 at the Grand Hyatt Doha. Sidra Medicine and ISPCAN ae working together to create awareness around on the subject. Both are also working on rehabilitation of victims.

ISPCAN Qatar 2020 is themed on 'Child Protection ' The Journey So Far and the Future Ahead, and will focus on approaches to stop violence against children based on scientific knowledge and research.

Around 10 local and international experts in child advocacy and protection will be speaking at the Conferene including Linda Steele, US National Child Advocacy Center, Anthony Macddonald, Director, UNICEF EMRO Region. He specialises in data and challenges at the School of Violence in Middle east.

Among Speakers also include Howard Taylor, Executive Director, Global Partnership to End Violence, Prof. Muthanna Samra, Psychology Department, Kings College, UK, Mary Harvey, CEO, Int'l Center for Sports & Human Rights, Prof. Figen Dagli, Ghazi University, Turkey, Prof. Muhammad Ghaly, Qatar University, Dr. Bernard Gerbaka, a paediatrician, Lebanon.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Al Ansari, Chair Emergency Medicine at Sidra Medicine sais that 'The fight against child abuse is a global issue. We are committed to raising further awareness, working with the community and the government partners so that together, we can advance and develop programs that will serve as permanent solutions to takling this ongoing social problem. We look forward to welcoming a strong lineup of int'l and local experts who have come together under the ISPCAN unbrella to build strong support system for children and families.'

Sidra Medicine launched it's child advocacy prgram in 2018, established to coodinate the care of children suspected of being abused or neglected and provide resources and quality care.

A dedicated Sidra Medicine Child helpline - 40034000 - has been established for general public who can call during working hours or leave a message out of hours, if they know or suspect a child is being abused.

For registration to the ISPCAN Qatar 2020 conference, visit: https://www.ispcan.org/qatar2020/