The number of criminal cases concerning the organization of illegal migration last year increased by over 46%, while regarding the luring of minors for sexual purposes grew more than twofold. The crimes of forced labor and child pornography also expanded significantly, shows a report by the Prosecutor General’s Office presented at the General Assembly of Prosecutors, which is taking place online, IPN reports.

“Out of the total number of crimes committed against minors, the violent crimes constitute a significant proportion of approximately 76.5%, with 37.76% being sexual offenses. Thus, in 2023 339 children were victims of sexual offenses and 37 children of these were abused in the family,” said acting Prosecutor General Ion Munteanu

As for the 37 children abused in the family, in most cases (17) the abuse was committed by the cohabitee. Another nine sexual abuses were committed by the brother, six by the grandfather and five by the uncle.

In total, last year prosecutors handled 898 criminal cases featuring 951 child victims of crime, compared to 1,003 criminal cases in 2022.

Also, 64 children last year were victims of domestic violence. 50 children were victims of crimes against life and health of the person, 65 children – victims of hooliganism, 11 children – victims of child pornography.

The report also shows that 64 children died last year due to the negligence of their parents or people in whose care they remained. They got poisoned, suffered injuries, drowned, burned in home fires, fell from height, etc.

As for the victims of child trafficking, a total of 25 child victims were identified in 2023 and out of these, 14 were victims of sexual exploitation, eight - of labor exploitation, two – of begging, one – of illegal adoption.