Over 700 cases have been received by the Ministry of Children’s Child Services in just eight months.

Child Service Assistant Director Ela Tukutukulevu says the Unit is concerned with this figure, as last year 713 cases were recorded.

Tukutukulevu says the top three cases are child neglect, sexual abuse, and instances where children fall victim to domestic violence.

“Out of the 799, 764 were Child Welfare cases while 35 were Juvenile cases so when we say juvenile, they are children below the age of 18 some that have committed an offence. Sometimes they are called the young offenders so they come through the system.”

Tukutukulevu says other cases include teenage pregnancy, beyond control children, child beggar and other Child related cases.

Tukutukulevu says in serious cases where parents are perpetrators, children who are victims are taken away from their families and are put under the care of the Ministry until the cases are solved.