The members of communities and specialists holding responsible posts in Moldova are often indifferent to the information about child abuse and violence. The issue was discussed in the meeting of the network “Journalists – Children’s Friends” that was organized by the Journalistic Investigations Center on March 13, Info-Prim Neo reports. Rodica Moraru-Chilimar, head of the Division of Social Assistance for Children, said the law provides that every person holding a responsible post – teachers, educators, doctors, and medical workers – must react to every sign of child abuse. The Code of Administrative Offenses stipulates punishment for the officials who do not inform the authorities about cases of violence against children. The participants in the meeting said the legislation on the protection of children is complex, but is implemented inappropriately. Mariana Ianachevici, executive director of the organization “Ave copiii”, said that the Republic of Moldova needs a society with zero tolerance of acts of violence. Such an attitude must be educated in children from childhood. The quality of training at universities decreased, while the professionalism of the specialists in the field leaves much to be desired. Many of them do not know what they should do and how to act in certain cases. Prosecutor of Causeni Ion Oboroceanu said the aggressors must be punished severely, while the punishments must be made public so that other potential aggressors see what they face. The participants recommended the journalists who write about cases of child abuse should not reveal details from the personal life of the victims so as not to hurt them more. According to the data presented in the meeting, the number of cases of child abuse in 2012 increased by 76% on 2011. Nine cases led to death, while 25 cases were cases of sexual abuse.