Non-governmental organization Against Child Abuse said on Thursday that statistics have shown preschool and kindergarten kids are the ones most vulnerable to abuse.
The organization said they received 1,136 reports and inquiries last year, including 168 suspected child abuse cases.
The cases have seen 202 children suspected of falling victim to abuse, with 27 percent aged between six to eight, while 21 percent were between three to five.
This reflected that preschool and kindergarten kids are the ones most vulnerable to abuse, the organization noted.
The organization added that, of the 194 suspected perpetrators identified in the cases, around 65 percent were the victims' family members.
Meanwhile, the most common form of abuse children received was physical abuse, accounting for 57 percent of the cases. Fourteen percent of the cases have seen children suffering from psychological maltreatment, followed by sexual abuse (12 percent) and acts of neglect (10 percent).
The organization called on the SAR government to impose harsher penalties under the child abuse law and expedite legislation to make reporting suspected child abuse cases mandatory.
The cases have seen 202 children suspected of falling victim to abuse, with 27 percent aged between six to eight, while 21 percent were between three to five.
This reflected that preschool and kindergarten kids are the ones most vulnerable to abuse, the organization noted.
The organization added that, of the 194 suspected perpetrators identified in the cases, around 65 percent were the victims' family members.
Meanwhile, the most common form of abuse children received was physical abuse, accounting for 57 percent of the cases. Fourteen percent of the cases have seen children suffering from psychological maltreatment, followed by sexual abuse (12 percent) and acts of neglect (10 percent).
The organization called on the SAR government to impose harsher penalties under the child abuse law and expedite legislation to make reporting suspected child abuse cases mandatory.