Child neglect cases have been continuously increasing in the past six years and is a worry for the Ministry of Children.

Statistics by the Child Services Unit reveals that majority of the victims are children below the age of five years.

Director Child Services Unit Ela Tukutukulevu says one hundred and forty-three children below the age of five were victims of child neglect in just first half of this year.

“There are different types of neglect cases. Some just simple neglect of children not provided proper food, they are not sent to school, some of them if they are sent to school there is no lunch or dirty uniform or some are just left to fend for themselves.”

Psychologist, Selina Kuruleca says these statistics are very disappointing.

“The effects of child abuse or neglect in the early years in the zero to five age group is very serious. Some of the long term effects is inability to thrive, delay in achieving development milestone, the inability to build adequate social relationship, it might also affect their ability to thrive academically.”

Save the Children Fiji has also raised concerns on the increase.

Out of the 143 child neglect cases, 17 children were around one-year-old.