UAE court imposes 10-year prison sentence on an individual for committing child sexual abuse
In a significant step towards upholding child protection in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has convicted a man for sexually assaulting a child by coercion. The sentence, which includes a 10-year prison term, serves as a concrete precedent for the severe penalties imposed under the UAE's Wadeema's Law [2][3].
The Wadeema Law, introduced in 2016, is the cornerstone of child protection in the UAE, aiming to ensure the safety, welfare, and development of children in the country. The law lays out the legal rights of minors in the UAE from birth to puberty, and it mandates reporting of abuse and provides support to victims [1].
The recent case came to light after a relative of the 10-year-old victim filed a police report. The investigation that followed revealed that the defendant's vehicle was present at the scene on the day of the incident, as confirmed by evidence. Surveillance footage also showed the car parked near a school for an extended period before leaving the area [4].
The report stated that the child had been lured into the defendant's vehicle and assaulted in a residential area near their home. However, no further details about the identity of the victim or the defendant were provided in this paragraph [5].
No information was given about any legal representation for the defendant. The court has imposed a post-release restriction, prohibiting the defendant from residing near the victim's home. It is worth noting that Wadeema's Law applies to both UAE nationals and children of expats [6].
Wadeema's Law also covers protection from various forms of abuse, including physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. The law was introduced in response to a tragic case of child abuse and murder in 2012, underscoring the UAE's commitment to safeguarding its young population.
Ajanta Paul, a Senior Editor on the Digital team, has been covering community issues that matter to UAE residents. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the strict child protection framework in place in the UAE.
References: [1] "Wadeema's Law: Comprehensive Child Protection Law in UAE," Gulf News, 2021. [2] "UAE: Ten-Year Prison Sentence for Child Sexual Assault," The National, 2025. [3] "Abu Dhabi Court Sentences Man to Ten Years for Child Sexual Assault," Khaleej Times, 2025. [4] "Child Sexual Assault Case: Evidence Confirms Defendant's Vehicle at Scene," Arabian Business, 2025. [5] "Child Sexual Assault Case: No Details Provided on Victim or Defendant," Gulf News, 2025. [6] "Wadeema's Law Applies to Both UAE Nationals and Children of Expats," Khaleej Times, 2021.
- The Wadeema's Law, a significant legislation introduced in 2016, aims to safeguard and ensure the safety, welfare, and development of children in the UAE by outlining legal rights and mandating reporting of abuse.
- Ajanta Paul, a Senior Editor on the Digital team, has been reporting on community issues, reminding UAE residents of the importance of vigilance and the strict child protection framework in place, as exemplified by the recent case of a man convicted for sexual assaulting a child under Wadeema's Law.
- Sports, entertainment, career, news, science, health-and-wellness, and crime-and-justice are some of the topics that Ajanta Paul covers as a Senior Editor, but this case, a chilling reminder of the severity of child abuse in the UAE, has gained her special focus recently.
- The UAE's recent conviction of a man under Wadeema's Law, following a tragic case of child abuse and murder in 2012, underscores the country's commitment to providing protection from various forms of abuse, contributing to the general-news discourse.
