More child abuse cases are being reported

The Against Child Abuse (Macau) Association Child Protection Centre organized a ceremony on Saturday to commemorate its 10th anniversary. During the event, the association revealed that the center received 66 consultation inquiries last year, and that 30 of them were suspected of being related to child abuse, according to a report by Macao Daily News.
Twenty seven inquiries were from mothers, while 8 were from relatives; the rest were from social workers, neighbors and other parties. From all inquiries, 15 were linked to physical abuse, 4 cases were related to more than one kind of abuse, and 3 reported sexual abuses.
Twelve mothers were found to be the abusers in these reported cases, while in another six cases fathers were found to be the abusers. In four reported cases, both parents were the abusers. 4 cases made accusations against domestic helpers and teachers. A total of 62 children were involved, evenly divided by gender.
According to the center, last year it received the highest number of assistance requirements since its opening in 2006. Regarding the current year, the number of cases that it has dealt with is already close to 50 percent more than last year’s total.
The association urges parents and schools to pay closer attention to children in order to increase the prevention of child abuse.

domestic violence cases surge in the region

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) revealed that the reported number of domestic violence surged in the first quarter of this year, saying that there are already 14 cases of such violence on children recorded during Q1. The number of reported cases is equivalent to the total number of such acts recorded last year. IAS believes that this can be attributed to the fact that residents have become more accustomed to reporting such crimes.