Manama: Reported cases of sexual abuse against teenage and pre-teen boys rose 800 per cent within the space of a year, it has been revealed. In its latest report, the Social Development Ministry said 129 males aged 11 to 15 were referred to its child protection centre complaining of physical abuse in 2014, against just 24 cases the year previously. However, a more dramatic rise was seen in the sexual abuse cases, with 27 boys in the 11-15 age group referred last year – an 800pc increase on the three reported cases of 2013.
Overall, 373 boys and 168 girls were referred to the centre for all types of abuse in 2014. “The report categorises abuse under four categories – very severe negligence, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse,” explained a ministry social worker. “Negligence involves a child being denied basic care and necessities, while physical abuse includes punishments such as beatings and emotional abuse is where a child undergoes stress.
“Sexual abuse includes abuse within the family as well as from outside – all these abuses are of a sexual nature.” The majority of cases referred to the centre last year involved physical abuse – with 254 males and 70 females, compared to 68 males and 22 females in 2013. Emotional abuse cases rose to 41 among males and 32 among females in 2014, compared to six males and nine females in 2013.
There were further increases in the number of physical abuse cases against children under five, with 27 boys and 17 girls referred to the centre in 2014, compared to 16 and 10 the year before. The Northern Governorate proved to be a hotbed for child abuse last year, with 203 cases reported – 130 males and 73 females, compared with 30 and 15 the year previously. This was followed by Muharraq Governorate, with 90 male and 34 female abuse cases, the now-defunct Central Governorate with 82 and 28 and the Southern Governorate with 41 and 18.
Meanwhile the Capital Governorate recorded the lowest number of reported abuse cases with 12 males and 15 females. The GDN reported in February this year on a “staggering” rise in child sex abuse cases, after more than two dozen cases were referred to the Public Prosecution in less than two months.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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