Report Shows 320 Troubling Cases: Kids Face Rising Abuse & Neglect

The Office of the Ombudsperson for Children has released its annual report covering the period from September 2023 to August 2024, revealing a concerning trend in issues affecting children. During this time, the office recorded a total of 320 cases, exhibiting increasing complexity across various segments of society despite attempts at prevention and intervention.

The report, presented last Wednesday, October 9, in Quatre-Bornes by Ombudsperson Aneeta Ghoorah, highlighted differences in the cases reported from Rodrigues compared to those in Mauritius.

From June 2023 to July 2024, the Ombudsperson’s office resolved 249 cases, while 16 cases remained under investigation.

Notably, education-related issues were of significant concern, with 122 cases linked to school matters.

Additionally, family conflicts accounted for 94 cases, indicating a pressing need for intervention in these areas.

The types of complaints received by the Ombudsperson paint a varied picture of the challenges faced by children.

Educational troubles—including transfer issues, admissions, transportation, and infrastructure—were reported in 77 cases.

Furthermore, there were 50 cases involving neglect and abuse of children, and 41 cases highlighted violence within schools, including harassment and verbal abuse from educational staff.

Other complaint categories included family conflicts (31 cases), sexual abuse and harassment (30 cases), and behavioral issues among children (19 cases).

Domestic violence and physical abuse within families accounted for 13 cases, while socio-economic factors were evident in five instances relating to poverty and lack of resources.

There were also four reports of child trafficking and prostitution, alongside issues of school absenteeism and dropouts.

The report noted fewer cases of child abandonment (two), drug use (two), and the sale of cigarettes and alcohol to minors (one), with no reported trends of suicidal behavior during this period.

The Ombudsperson’s office conducted 38 field visits and two missions to Rodrigues, where critical issues such as child abandonment, malnutrition, and overcrowding were observed to be widespread.

The report underscores alarming trends, particularly concerning violence against children, sexual abuse, neglect, family disputes, and indiscipline in schools.

Notably, the percentage of cases related to the education sector rose sharply, with 24.1% of complaints classified under educational issues, compared to 17.5% in the previous year (2022-2023).

During the presentation, Aneeta Ghoorah emphasized that the cases reflect the harsh realities children face daily and called for enhanced efforts from relevant departments to achieve more positive outcomes.

Citing the report as her first since assuming the role in February, Ghoorah expressed her belief that many issues could have been addressed at their source rather than referred to her office, thereby allowing the Ombudsperson for Children to focus on more complex cases.

Internally, one of Ghoorah’s primary goals has been to foster cohesion among staff, cultivate a productive work environment, and develop a team spirit.

She pointed out that despite the presence of multiple ministries, government institutions, and NGOs dedicated to child welfare, collaborative efforts remain inadequate.

A significant challenge, according to Ghoorah, is uniting these entities to work synergistically.

The report also highlighted the need for a cultural shift regarding child rights and care, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among parents, communities, and the general public.

Ghoorah stated, “This change in mindset is crucial for promoting discipline and values, ultimately shaping the responsible citizens of tomorrow.”

To improve the situation for children, the report offered several recommendations, including enhancing coordination among all stakeholders through regular, solution-focused meetings and providing continuous training for professionals working with vulnerable children.

It also emphasized the necessity for strict timelines to be established for resolving investigations, ensuring that children receive timely assistance.

Moreover, the Ombudsperson has called for the creation of a centralized support system for victims of sexual abuse to prevent children from reliving their trauma through repeated retelling of their experiences.

Source: l’Express