I strongly support the UAE government stance to charge both the maid and the parents. No matter how expensive food you buy for them, how expert nannies you hire for them and how luxurious conditions you put them in, children are still 'neglected' if the parents do not spend time with them themselves.

It is no doubt understandable that in some situations especially in the middle east where expats outnumber the locals by huge proportions it may not be possible for the parents to give due care to their child, primarily because both parents are working.

No age is immune to sexual abuse. There are cases where children as young as one day have been abused. It is the responsibility of all those who care for a child to take every step to prevent abuse from occuring as childhood abuse has catastrophically devastating effects throughout a person's life.

Extreme caution must be exercised while leaving a child in someone else' custody. It must be borne in mind that the most common abuser of a child is usually a closely related person, especially a male and is usually known to the child. It is a good idea always to educate the child on abuse and to enourage the child to report it as soon as possible.