Child abuse complaints increase

[Ecuajey]

Child abuse complaints increase in the past few months

Monday, September 23rd, 2002.

SAN JUAN (AP) - Child abuse complaints have dramatically increased during the past few months. Family Department Secretary Yolanda Zayas attributed this to a higher level of awareness among citizens.
According to published reports, the agency investigates 2,361 complaints in the Arecibo region.

Zayas said she prefers to have an increase in complaints than to have child abuse happening in silence. She said 35% of the complaints received at the agency every day are confirmed as actual cases of child abuse.

The 2,361 complaints that are now under investigation come from the municipalities of Hatillo, Camuy, Lares, Ciales, Utuado, Barceloneta, Quebradilla, Manati, and Arecibo.

Psychologist Alberto Perez defined child abuse as any type of conduct in an adult that may have unfavorable repercussions in a child at a physical, psychological, social, and sexual levels.