High social status, education do not preclude child abuse, HCMC report shows

In its latest report on fighting child abuse, for the period between 2021 and April this year, it said 326 children aged 10-16 were victims of either sexual abuse or violence, most of them girls.

The abusers included people with regular occupations, high social status and education, most of them men.

In most cases of sexual abuse, the perpetrators were neighbors, relatives or family friends.

More than a few cases of child sexual abuse were committed in public places such as apartment buildings, parks and schools.

Most victims of violence and physical abuse were children living with divorced or unemployed parents, stepfathers or parents using narcotic substances.

HCMC has around 1.8 million children, accounting for 19% of its population.