Child beating, abuse

In the first three months of this year, a five-month-old child and a two-year-old were admitted to Mater Dei Hospital in alleged cases of child beating or abuse.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar told Noel Farrugia (PL), in reply to a parliamentary question, that in many instances when such cases were encountered there was only a suspicion of abuse. A conclusion on whether each case was in fact the result of abuse was reached only after the case was investigated by social workers and professionals.

Dr Cassar added that in most cases investigated on allegations of child abuse there might be no need for the victims to be admitted to hospital, but each case was investigated in the community.