Suva, November 19 (IANS): Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has sounded the alarm over the growing number of child abuse and neglect cases recorded by the national Child Welfare Act database.

A total of 1,477 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in the country last year, according to statistics from the database.

Speaking at Tuesday’s World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse event, Acting Permanent Secretary Salaseini Daunabuna said that of the cases, 68% were of child neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse, and 73% of the perpetrators are known to the victims. .

Statistics have also shown that child abuse and neglect often occurs in the child’s safe space, she added.

“In most cases, the perpetrator is someone from a child’s immediate family, and this is evident in 50 percent of reported cases in 2023,” Daunabuna said.

She said the statistics have steadily increased over the years, making urgent intervention and prevention essential, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Government of Fiji is working in collaboration with key child protection stakeholders to effectively and inclusively address child welfare concerns, according to Daunabuna.