"Safety Box for Physical Expression"

Public Prosecution launches child-friendly tool to support young victims 

TDT | Manama

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The Public Prosecution introduced a new initiative to make investigations involving child victims more comfortable and less stressful. Called the "Safety Box for Physical Expression," the project has been developed by the social research department to help children express themselves in a safe and age-appropriate way.

The safety box contains anatomically correct dolls, puppets and other interactive tools that help children explain what happened to them, especially in cases of sexual assault. The idea was developed after studying similar international practices and adapting them to suit Bahrain's needs.

Acting Head of the Social Research Group, Professor Dalal Al-Atawi, said the project helps children share their experiences and feelings more easily while making it simpler for specialists to communicate with them. It also creates a calmer environment during interviews and assessment sessions.

The project was tested with 10 girls during investigation-related interviews. According to the Public Prosecution, the children responded positively to the tools and were able to explain events more clearly than through traditional interview methods. The approach also helped reduce fear and anxiety, improved their understanding of questions and made communication easier.

The initiative also supports social and psychological specialists by helping them better understand a child's emotions and behaviour. This allows them to build trust with the child and carry out more accurate assessments.

The Public Prosecution said the project is part of its ongoing efforts to improve the services provided to child victims and ensure investigations are conducted in a way that protects their well-being. By using child-friendly methods, it aims to provide better care and support while keeping the best interests of the child at the centre of the process.