Crimes against minors up 34% in 10 years in Italy

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 8 - A reported 6,952 crimes against minors were committed in 2023 in Italy, on average 19 every day, an additional 95 compared to 2022, with a 34% increase over the last decade and a 89% hike from 2006, according to figures elaborated by the central police department's criminal analysis service which are part of the 2024 Dossier "The condition of children and adolescent girls in the world" presented by the Foundation Terre des Hommes at the Lower House on Tuesday.
    The dossier was presented ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
    The most widespread crimes that rincreased significantly were forms of abuse committed within the family with 2,843 cases recorded in 2023, up 6% compared to 2022.
    The cases more than doubled from 2013, the dossier said.
    Also, in 61% of the cases the victims were girls, according to the data.
    The dossier said the fact that 61% of victims were female was mainly due to the high rate of sexual violence and aggravated sexual violence cases, which regarded respectively 89% and 85% of female victims, followed by sexual acts with minors (79%), detention of pornographic material and corruption of a minor (78% of female victims in both instances) and prostitution and underage pornography (in both cases 64% of victims were girls).
    The majority of victims were instead boys in cases of murder (67%), abandonment of a minor or disabled (61%) and abuse of means of correction and discipline(59%), among others. (ANSA).