The number of complaints concerning suspected cases of child abuse has increased during the last few years. The authorities say this is an indicator not of the intensification of the phenomenon, but rather of the enhanced capacity to identify such cases. In 2014, there were recorded 1,800 applications about suspected cases of abuse among children, while in 2016 the figure rose to 3,400. The data were presented in a news conference given by the administration of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, IPN reports.
“We noticed that things in society were stirred up following the case reported at the boarding school No. 3 of Chisinau at the end of September and that was a suspected case of sexual abuse against a minor,” said Ministry of Education, Culture and Research Monica Babuc, noting that an inspection was ordered at this institution. As a result, there were identified a number of deviations and things that aroused suspicion. For example, the register where all the cases of child abuses where to be included contained no information, if only about violence between children.
Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Stela Grigoras said the rise in the number of received complaints does not point to the expansion of the phenomena of abuse, exploitation and violence against children. “On the contrary, it is a sign showing the capacity of the professionals who come in touch with children from different sectors, such as healthcare, education, social assistance and public order because these can already swiftly identify signs of violence against children,” stated the minister.
Minister of the Interior Alexandru Jizdan spoke about virtual crime, including the sexual abuse against children online, saying the authorities suggested a number of measures and created the platform internetsigur.md. During the last few years, the number of crimes involving minors has decreased. The number of child victims of offenses almost halved. In 2015, there were recorded 1,334 cases, as opposed to 897 cases this year.
