Laws should be amended immediately the moment a new form of child abuse, such as internet exploitation, was identified, the chief executive officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, Sina Bugeja insisted.

Such action would give the authorities the legal framework to take immediate action against the perpetrators, she said.

The problem of having to wait for laws to be amended before taking action could be solved by introducing legislation allowing space for interpretation, making it possible for the authorities to swoop down whenever a new form of abuse was identified, she said.

Speaking at the launch of a campaign promoting the positive upbringing of children, Ms Bugeja said child abuse should never be justified or tolerated. "We need to increase awareness about the importance that children are brought up within a family where they are loved and respected," she said.

The campaign - Blue Ribbon For Child Protection - will allow the foundation to reach out to parents and carers and give them tips about how best to care for their children through a number of media events and also via a leaflet for parents.

Last year, the Child Protection Service run by Aġenzija Appoġġ was resorted to in more than 1,000 cases of abuse, 165 of which related to sexual abuse, another 360 involving physical abuse, 178 cases of neglect, 47 cases of emotional abuse and 302 cases of children at risk.

"We want to stop all forms of abuse and raise awareness," Yvonne Mallia, the agency's operations director, said.

Family Minister Dolores Cristina said nobody could close his eyes to child abuse: "This is a social problem that affects all of us."

Ms Cristina said the most heartbreaking moments of her job came when she had to sign a care order for a child to be taken away from his/her parents. "We only do this when there is no alternative and the ultimate aim is to reunite the child with the parents," she said.

There are 272 children under a care order.

Ms Cristina stressed the important role of foster carers who take care of children unable to live with their families. There are 180 foster carers in Malta.

A copy of the leaflet about positive upbringing of children can be downloaded from www.appogg.gov.mt or www.sedqa.gov.mt.