The rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing is causing child abuse cases to soar, according to protection campaigners.

Figures released yesterday by the Department of Child and Family Services revealed a 20 percent jump in reported cases — and the number is expected to rise. There were 531 reports in 2006 compared to 434 the previous year.

Although 169 were confirmed, 88 unproven and the rest under review, Shadow Minister for Women’s Affairs and Family Services, Suzann Roberts Holshouser, claimed abuse would “continue to rise” due to social factors.

The main form of abuse cited by the Government was neglect, with 194 cases reported — mostly involving children under four.

Among the reasons given were a lack of suitable accommodation - responsible for 33 referrals; the absence of parental supervision, listed on 46 occasions; and a lack of food and clothing, reported in 13 cases.

Sheelagh Cooper, chairman of the charity Coalition for Protection of Children, said the figures were an indictment of a growing poverty crisis in Bermuda.

She said that cases of neglect were not necessarily the parents’ fault, as many were struggling to hold down multiple jobs just to survive.

Mrs. Cooper said: “More than half the cases of neglect were related to income issues. One has to ask the question: is this really neglect by the parents or is it neglect by our community and society and our government?

“Poverty has reached epidemic proportions, with almost 30 percent of our children living at or below the poverty line. The parents are highly stressed and have a hard time keeping a roof over their heads, so these figures are not surprising at all. We need to address the issue of poverty and look at affordable housing, as our children are paying the price.”

Mrs. Cooper also expressed concern at the increase in child sex abuse. Reported cases rose from 62 in 2005 to 85 in 2006 — up 40 percent. She said action needed to be taken to coerce offenders to attend prison treatment programmes. “Offenders are being released back into the community without having any treatment, and this is one of the reasons why we’re seeing an increase,” said Mrs Cooper.

Mrs. Roberts Holshouser echoed her comments, but said many cases of abuse also go unreported. “I think the rise in child abuse is due to the stress in which we find ourselves in as a society. The lack of affordable housing, the lack of acceptable salaries and wages,” she said.

“When you have someone working full time and bringing in $340-$500 a week, they can’t afford the cost of living today.

“What I would like to see is an increase in staffing in Child and Family Services. But until we begin to address the cost of living we will continue to see the figures rise.”

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler was last night unavailable for comment.

As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Department of Child and Family Services is urging parents to report any suspicious behaviour among friends and relatives to its staff.