[ROMANIA] 15,000 Abuse Cases Reported by the Child Protection System

In 2018, almost 15,000 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported by the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection. A report written by Save the Children Romania, together with the Romanian Ombusdman, showed that 94% of these cases occur at home.

According to the report, two-thirds of the children were subjected to emotional and physical abuse as a method of discipline by their parents, who were seemingly unaware of the negative effects on their children.

When it comes to violence in schools, nearly one in three children in elementary and high school claim that they have been subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

The Save the Children report also mentions the problem of child trafficking. Data shows that half of the total number of victims identified by the National Authority are minors. They are trafficked both internally and internationally for sexual and labour exploitation, or they are obliged to commit crimes such as theft and frauds.

Furthermore, the study shows that public schools are not prepared to integrate and support children with disabilities, nor pupils with special educational needs. This is primarily due to lack of access to specialised school materials, unprepared teachers, and lack of information sessions with parents and other children on the importance of inclusive education. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that children with disabilities are seven times more likely to stay out of school.