HRCM: Government must work on prevention of child abuse

Human Rights’ Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has notified government to give emphasis on providing attention, love and safety needed for children and to work on prevention of child abuse.

In a press release publicized by HRCM yesterday, on the occasion of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, it was stated that putting effort to stop child abuse was encouraged in the Act 35 of the Constitution of Maldives.

It was noted in the press release that safety for children by their families and from the society was a right for children.

“The Constitution states that children should not be harmed or abused physically or sexually, discriminated, used as child labor of any kind and get illegitimate benefits by anyone” noted in the press release.

According to police records, usage of children in illegal tasks was being increased day by day. While a total of 260 such cases were reported in 2011, 262 cases have been reported to police in 2012.

According to statistics of cases reported to police that involved children, physical abuse to children was mostly reported to police. A total of 72 cases of physical abuse to children have been reported in 2011. In 2012 that number has been increased by 52.8 percent and a total of 110 such cases have been reported to police in 2012. In addition to those cases, 60 cases of neglecting children have been reported in 2012.

“Most dangerous and most common type of child abuse is psychological abuse. Calling children by names that they don’t like and bullying children for fun can be psychological damages to children” specified in HRCM press release.

19 November is marked as World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.