What is the correct legal procedure to follow if my autistic son is being bullied at school?

Good afternoon,

I’m sorry to hear about your son’s experience with bullying. In the UAE, children, including those with autism, are protected under various laws, such as Wadeema’s Law (2016), which ensures child rights and prohibits any form of violence or abuse, including bullying.

Schools are required to have clear anti-bullying policies, and children with special needs are entitled to inclusive education and necessary support to ensure a safe learning environment.

If your son is being bullied, the first step would be to report the incident to the school. Schools are obligated to take action to address bullying.

If the issue persists or isn’t handled appropriately, you can escalate it to the Ministry of Education or the relevant educational authority in your emirate (e.g., KHDA in Dubai or ADEK in Abu Dhabi).

Additionally, if the bullying involves physical harm or serious threats, you may also consider filing a police report.

If you would like further assistance or need guidance through the process, I’m here to help. We can discuss the best course of action to ensure your son’s safety and well-being in school.

Best regards,

Dear Sir,

We are truly sorry to hear about what happened to your son. In the UAE, the rights of children are protected under several legal frameworks, and bullying, particularly involving children with special needs, is taken very seriously.

We recommend the following immediate steps:

- File a complaint with the school administration and request a formal written investigation into the incident.

- If the school fails to take appropriate action, submit a formal complaint to the Ministry of Education or the relevant education authority in your emirate.

- If the bullying involved physical harm, threats, or emotional trauma, you may also file a police report so that the matter can be investigated under criminal law.

Should you require legal assistance in taking any of these steps, we are here to support you.

Please feel free to contact us at [-------------] or email us at [-------------].

Wishing your son safety and a full recovery.

Best regards,

Nada Elmawi

How did you find out about this?

Because in such cases, if the school administration does not take action to resolve the issue, we will be forced to file an official police complaint against the individual who committed the act of bullying, even if they are a minor.

Such behavior is a legal violation and must be addressed seriously to ensure the safety and protection of all students.