By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

REPORTS of child neglect nearly doubled during the first eight months of 2026, while physical and sexual abuse cases also increased, according to Department of Social Services figures.

The Child Protection Unit recorded 184 neglect cases between January and August, up from 94 during the same period last year — an increase of nearly 96 percent.

Physical abuse reports rose by about 28 percent, from 83 to 106, while sexual abuse cases increased from 134 to 145, or about eight percent.

The department recorded 441 child protection cases overall during the first eight months of this year, compared with 429 during the same period in 2025, an increase of 12 cases, or 2.8 percent.

However, the year-on-year totals are not directly comparable by category. The 2025 figures included 112 cases classified as “other”, while no equivalent category appeared in the January-to-August 2026 data provided by the department. The department did not specify what types of cases were included in the 2025 classification.

March was the busiest month for the Child Protection Unit this year, with 98 cases, while August recorded the fewest, with 30.

The most dramatic monthly increases came in March and June.

In March, physical abuse cases jumped from six in 2025 to 31 this year, while sexual abuse rose from nine to 29 and neglect from eight to 35.

In June, neglect cases climbed from 14 to 40 and physical abuse rose from 12 to 19, while sexual abuse declined slightly from 13 to 12.

February also recorded a notable rise in sexual abuse reports, from 15 to 25, while neglect increased from 19 to 24. Physical abuse remained unchanged at eight cases.

In January, physical abuse rose from four cases to seven, sexual abuse from seven to 13 and neglect from eight to 13. The department also recorded one case each of abandonment and verbal abuse this year, compared with none in January 2025.

April saw sexual abuse increase from 23 to 30 and neglect from 21 to 32, although physical abuse declined from 24 to 13.

The figures shifted sharply in May, when sexual abuse cases fell from 55 during the same month last year to ten this year. Physical abuse declined from 18 to 12 and neglect slipped from 19 to 18.

In July, physical abuse fell from eight cases to four, while sexual abuse rose from nine to 12 and neglect increased from four to 15.

August recorded three physical abuse cases, down from 12 during the same month in 2025. Sexual abuse rose from three to 11, while neglect increased from one case to seven.