KABUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Afghanistan's first Family Response Unit (FRU) opened Sunday afternoon for all the Afghan people to call for help and advice on family related crimes.

    "It will definitely play an important role in protecting the legal rights of women and children by offering the new police services. Furthermore, it set up a good example for other districts, provinces to follow in the future," the superintendent Qiu Chongwen, the Chinese police advisor working in UNAMA said.

    UNFPA (The UN Population Fund) has provided a fully furnished container office with a reception, bathroom and two interview rooms. This allows complainants to enter the FRU without having to pass a large number of policemen at the gate and maintains confidentiality.

    The FRU was set up by the Afghan National Police (ANP) with the support and monitoring of American police officers and UNAMA (UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) training in family violence.

    Violence against women and children is so common in Afghanistan as to make it a serious public health problem and an international embarrassment. This unit which is staffed by ANP indicates that the ANP regards family violence as a crime that must be dealt with as a priority.

    "The FRU plays an important role in dealing with family violence, children in trouble, female victims of crime and in investigating female suspects," Dr. Sima Samar, Chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission said. Enditem