Data on Substantiated Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Involving Children Aged Three and Below, Severity of Outcomes and Previously Reported Cases

Prof Kenneth Poon asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for each of the past five years (a) how many substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect involved children aged three and below; and (b) of these cases (i) how many resulted in serious injury or death and (ii) what proportion involved concerns previously reported to child-protection agencies.

Answer:

            In 2025, there were 687 child abuse cases involving children aged zero to six years old that required statutory intervention by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Protective Service. Of these, three involved serious injuries, and none involved a child death.

2.          From 2021 to 2024, there were two child death cases due to abuse or neglect that resulted in prosecution. Neither child was known to MSF Protective Service prior to their deaths.