1,518 child abuse cases recorded last year

1,518 child abuse cases were recorded by the the Child Welfare Act National Database last year.

This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Jennifer Poole while speaking at the National Child Safeguarding Policy Validation Workshop.

Poole says a total of 70% of the cases reported were of child neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

She also says this was a decrease compared to 2020 when 1,719 cases were reported.

Poole adds the decrease in reporting in 2021 can be due to COVID 19 restrictions as schools were closed, borders were in place, and there were movement restrictions for the safety of the public.

The Permanent Secretary says but despite that little decrease, these statistics are way too high adding children need to grow up in a caring, loving and protective environment.

She also says abuse or neglect of children has consequences on all aspects of a child’s development that have long-lasting consequences into adulthood.

Poole highlighted that she cannot emphasize this enough that every child, deserves to grow up with the provision of safe and effective care and we all have the responsibility to promote their welfare and protect them from harm.