1,000 child abuse cases reported in Cork each year

MORE than 1,000 children are formally suspected of being physically, sexually or emotionally abused in Cork every year, official figures have confirmed.

New social work and child protection statistics show that despite a series of high-profile child abuse cases in recent months, children are continuing to be placed needlessly at risk.

According to the official figures, revealed at the latest HSE South regional health forum, since the start of 2006 social services have been asked to assess an average of 2,000 children every year in Cork due to fears of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect.