All you need to know about Child Protection Bureau

CAIRO - 19 January 2020: Public Prosecutor Hamada al-Sawy issued a decision Saturday to establish the Child Protection Bureau in the Judicial Inspection Department of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

This comes within the framework of the role the Public Prosecution plays to protect society. This decision aims at eliminating all phenomena that threaten the security and safety of the Egyptian child, whether he/she is a victim, a perpetrator or a witness, and at eliminating the phenomenon of children's disappearance.

The decision of the attorney general clarified several main specializations of the Child Protection Bureau:

First: The office is concerned with supervising the child’s prosecutions, following up their actions, and monitoring the practical problems they face. The bureau reviews cases and judicial rulings related to children and takes the necessary measures to protect the child when exposed to violence, neglect or exploitation.

Second: It follows up on the cases of children’s disappearance, prepares a record of such cases, and entrusts the police with searching and investigating.

Third: It inspects observation houses, training and rehabilitation centers, social care institutions and homes, specialized hospitals, penal institutions and other places of detention for children.

Fourth: The Child Protection Bureau has the authority to coordinate and follow up with the Child Helpline and the national child protection authorities regarding taking the necessary measures to strengthen and support child protection.

Fifth: Prosecutors notify the Child Protection Bureau of all facts related to children that involve violence against them, their exploitation, endangering, losing or finding them.

Sixth: The bureau prepares a report on the size and type of the phenomenon of child criminality and studies it to develop the child justice system. It also prepares a quarterly report on its work for the attorney general.