The spike in cases prompted the police force to develop a web app to protect children and teach them how to seek help through the internet. Among the 871 cases, 444 cases involved physical abuse, 70 percent up from 262 cases last year, and 427 sexual abuse cases, 61 percent up on 263 cases last year. Lee said most physical abuse involved beatings, around 70 percent of which were committed by parents due to their children's behavioral and academic problems. She also said that over 30 percent of sexual abuse cases involved indecent assaults. "When it comes to sexual abuse, victims may feel embarrassed to speak out, or they may be intimidated by their perpetrators," he said.

Source: The Standard November 05, 2021 01:12 UTC