362 children victims of abuse last year

The Insular Council of Majorca's social service last year dealt with 362 child victims of physical, psychological or sexual abuse. According to council sources, the majority of the cases, 76, involved victims of psychological abuse. 70 cases involved sexual abuse, 42 negligence, 36 physical aggression. Many of the victims were cared for at the institution's homes while others were taken in and looked after by families. Since the infant and families wing of the social services was created in 1998 - the Insular Council has quadrupled the money and manpower invested in the protection of minors. The figures released yesterday further confirm that the Balearics has one of the highest rates of child abuse in Spain.