\n<\/p>\n
The increase in such cases was primarily driven by a rise in cases where physical abuse was the primary type of abuse \u2013 from 888 cases in 2023 to 1,171 in 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n There was also an increase in the number of tier 2 child abuse cases where sexual abuse was the primary type of abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlthough sexual abuse cases increased in 2024, the total number remained lower compared to 2022,\u201d said MSF in its report.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn contrast, cases where emotional and psychological abuse or neglect were the primary types of abuse showed a decline.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n According to the report, the number of new tier 2 child abuse cases rose across all three age groups: zero to six, seven to 12, and 13 to 18.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Authorities reported 834 cases among children aged seven to 12, followed by 824 cases that involved children aged zero to six, and 645 cases involving those aged 13 to 18.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEducating primary school students on personal safety and protection from abuse, and continued training and vigilance of professionals, could have contributed to more cases reported,\u201d MSF said.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the increase in tier 2 child abuse cases, the total number of children in out-of-home care declined from 1,509 in 2023 to 1,454 in 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Children aged 13 to 18 years were the largest age group of those in out-of-home care, followed by those aged seven to 12 and zero to six.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA possible reason for the decrease in out-of-home placement is the introduction and ramping up of safety checks by safety check officers in 2024, who assist protection officers through home visits and video calls to monitor the safety of children at home,\u201d said MSF.<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, the incidence rate of new tier 2 cases rose to 2.8 per 1,000 children in 2024, up from 2.4 in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis remained lower compared to other countries; for example, the incidence rate in Australia was 21 per 1,000 children in 2022 to 2023,\u201d said MSF.<\/span><\/p>\n In response to CNA’s queries, the ministry said there were no records of any child death cases from 2021 to 2024 where the child was under MSF Child Protective Service\u2019s case management prior to the child\u2019s death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In that same period, around 10 per cent of tier 2 child abuse cases that the Protective Service investigated were court cases, MSF said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n