Sharjah Foundation and ECPAT Release Groundbreaking Arabic Guide to Protect Child Safety Through Language

A new 185-page terminology resource launches at the Sharjah International Book Fair, helping professionals across the Arab region communicate with greater precision and sensitivity when addressing child protection.

Language shapes understanding. The words used to describe child sexual exploitation and abuse influence not only how incidents are perceived and documented, but how the children affected by them are treated. Recognising this profound truth, the Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation has partnered with ECPAT International to release the first Arabic edition of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, a comprehensive reference designed to guide professionals across the region towards clearer, more child-sensitive communication.

The 185-page publication, unveiled at the Sharjah International Book Fair, draws on nine months of collaboration involving more than 20 regional and international experts and specialists. Rather than simply translating existing international terminology, the development process involved a detailed examination of meanings, implications and applications across different legal, cultural and professional contexts in the Arab world, ensuring that the guidance remains both internationally consistent and locally relevant.

The resource spans 17 thematic sections addressing different forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse, from technology-facilitated offences and trafficking to child marriage and harmful practices. A distinctive three-colour classification system guides professionals through appropriate terminology use: green indicates generally accepted terms that do not stigmatise children; orange highlights expressions requiring careful consideration of context; and red identifies terminology that should be restricted or avoided entirely.

Concrete examples demonstrate the practical application of these principles. The term “child prostitution” is replaced with “exploitation of children in/for prostitution”, redirecting focus from the child towards the criminal nature of the offence. Similarly, “child pornography” becomes “child sexual abuse material” or “child sexual exploitation material”, language that more accurately reflects the victimisation involved. The guidelines recommend “sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism” rather than “child sex tourism”, terminology that acknowledges harm rather than normalising abuse.

The publication addresses contemporary challenges posed by technology and artificial intelligence, including digitally generated child sexual abuse material, livestreamed abuse, grooming and online sexual extortion. Dedicated sections support professionals in communicating about these emerging forms of exploitation with precision and clarity.

A particularly significant aspect of the Arabic edition involves culturally specific terminology. The guidelines provide guidance on concepts including “hatk al-‘ird”, a term used in certain Arabic legal contexts to describe sexual assault or violations of sexual integrity, and violence committed in the name of so-called honour. This contextual approach ensures that child protection professionals can work within their own legal and cultural frameworks whilst maintaining international standards.

The endorsement of 19 institutions and individual experts across the region underscores the resource’s significance. Lujan Mourad, Director of the Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation, emphasised that the publication’s value lies in its practical application. “The words we use when discussing child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse influence how we understand children’s experiences, respond to their cases and uphold their rights and dignity,” she noted, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring the guidelines reach child protection professionals, journalists, researchers, educators and policymakers.

To facilitate adoption, KSQF and ECPAT International organised an interactive dialogue at the Book Fair exploring how institutions can integrate the recommended terminology into organisational policies, professional training, case management procedures and media communications. Participants were invited to identify concrete steps, including reviewing terminology in institutional materials, incorporating the guidelines into training programmes and sharing the reference across relevant teams and organisations within the following six months.

The Arabic edition represents a significant step in strengthening child protection systems across the region, reflecting the broader vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of KSQF, to advance children’s rights through regional and international partnerships and knowledge development.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This resource extends far beyond Sharjah’s borders, offering a unified reference for child protection professionals across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Arab region. By establishing clear, consistent terminology grounded in both international standards and local contexts, the guidelines strengthen the capacity of institutions throughout the UAE to respond to child protection issues with greater precision and sensitivity. For journalists, policymakers, educators and child protection specialists in Abu Dhabi, the resource provides practical tools for more effective communication that prioritises children’s dignity and rights.

The publication also reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to child protection and regional cooperation on safeguarding. As the nation continues to strengthen its institutions and advance children’s rights through partnerships and knowledge development, resources like these support the collective effort across emirates to ensure that every child is protected through both policy and language.

Source: WAM