Government efforts to reduce child abuse are failing and the number of cases is set to rise, according to children’s ombudsman Marc Dullaert in a briefing to parliament on Wednesday.

Research shows some 118,000 cases of physical, mental or sexual abuse are reported to the authorities every year. Some 80,000 children will suffer obvious signs of damage because of the abuse, the ombudsman said.
In the briefing, Dullaert said he is concerned there is not enough capacity to deal with all the reported incidents. For example, doctors have told him there is often no action taken when they report suspected abuse.
Government plans to reorganise youth social work services are also likely to increase bureaucracy, Dullaert said.