Reported cases of child abuse rise

Sat, Jun 15th 2013, 10:29 AM

Reported cases of child abuse have risen in the past two years, according to Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin.
Griffin told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that there have been 288 reported cases of abuse in New Providence and Grand Bahama between January and the end of May 2013.
She said there were 181 reported cases in New Providence and 107 reported cases in Grand Bahama. The statistics for the Family Islands were not complete.
While she did not have the exact figure for 2012, the minister said that in 2011, there were 254 reported cases of abuse during the same period.
Of the 181 reported cases in New Providence for the first five months of 2013, there were 98 cases of neglect; 36 cases of physical abuse; 36 cases of sexual abuse; four cases of incest; five cases of emotional abuse and two cases of verbal abuse.
Of the reported cases in Grand Bahama, there were 32 cases of neglect; 32 cases of physical abuse; 31 cases of sexual abuse and 12 cases of abandonment.
Griffin said the reported cases usually only represent one third of the actual number of child abuse cases in the country.
Over the last few years the number of reported cases of child abuse has fluctuated.
There were 636 reported cases of child abuse in the country in 2011.
In 2010, there were 615 reported cases of child abuse. The Department of Social Services said 499 were reported in New Providence and 116 in the Family Islands.
Griffin told the House of Assembly on Wednesday that it is important that the ministry raise the level of public awarenesss surrounding child abuse.
She said there are new threats emerging that can bring harm to all people, but especially children.
They include the Internet and other high tech gadgets and equipment, which she acknowledged can be helpful when put to good use, but harmful when used the wrong way.
"Technology has opened the door to new ways for sexual predators to reach our children," she said. "We have all seen how viral the videos and photos can go on the Internet."
Griffin admonished parents to keep a close watch on their children's internet access.
"Please remember, there is no substitution for parental guidance," she said. "These instruments are not meant to be babysitters."
To report child abuse cases, members of the public are asked to call 322-2763 or 422-2763.

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