Over seven hundred cases relating to children were received by the Social Welfare’s Child Services Department last year.

Department Assistant Director Ela Tukutukulevu says these cases include child negligence, sexual abuse of children, physical abuse, child labor, teenage pregnancy, and other cases.

Tukutukulevu says Child negligence topped the list with 226 cases followed by physical abuse cases and sexual abuse cases receiving 149 and 130 reports respectively.

“We have been receiving cases mostly from the hospitals and because cases are brought to them, the cases are referred to us. What we do is we refer to the various welfare officers in the areas and if it’s a case from Nasinu, our Nasinu welfare is the ones that go down to the ground and investigate, talk to parents and try to encourage them on the care of children.”

Tukutukulevu says the department made relevant referrals to counselors, Police and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of the child affected.

Meanwhile, the ministry has recorded nine child cases so far this year.