The Ministry of Social Development continues to be engaged in a number of activities, to enlighten the public on issues relating to Child Abuse.
The activities forms part of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, which is being observed here.
As part of the activities, the Ministry hosted a panel discussion yesterday on NBC Radio’s Views on Issues Programme, on the topic “The Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children.”
Social Worker assigned to the child care and protection unit -within the child development division, Leona John, said 75 to 80 percent of child sexual abuse cases are done by persons who are well known to the children.Leona John, a Social worker at the Ministry said investigations have shown that children who have been abused sexually were manipulated, by their offenders.
Ms. John said it is important that any knowledge of child sexual abuse cases should be reported, in order to reduce the risk of other children falling victims to sexual abuse.
The Child Development Unit, within the Ministry of National Mobilization, is using the month of April, to encourage persons to help to prevent child abuse.
