Moldova Sexual violence against children: Not all cases of abuse are known, even more - not acknowledged as real

December 9, 2010

Comment: In an article dated December 9th 2010 and entitled “Sexual violence against children: Not all cases of abuse are known, even more – not acknowledged as real”, the Moldovan website “unimedia.md” sheds light on the fundamental role in our societies played by independent administrative institutions such as the ombudspersons, essential watchdogs to the service of the most vulnerable.

Quoting the words of Ms. Tamara Plămădeală, the Moldovan People’s advocate, ‘Unimedia’ reports on sexual violence and abuse cases of children happening in the territory of Moldova. Ms Plămădeală recently asked the Ministry of Interior to publish controversial figures so as to raise awareness on the lack of identification and recognition of child sexual abuse in Moldova and put forward a series of recommendations from individual case management to the setting of an early detection mechanism of child abuse cases.

The article also allows comparison with the wider situation in Europe, showing that in 70 to 85 % of child abuse cases in Europe, the perpetrator is previously known to the victim. In this article, “Unimedia” fulfills its mandate through an ethical reporting on child protection issues and adequate iconography.

Comments: Pierre Cazenave, Regional Child Rights Officer, Tdh – Child Relief