It is worrying that violations of children's rights occur frequently in the family and at school, where children are supposed to enjoy most protection, Ombudswoman Ljubica Matijevic Vrsaljko said. Last year, the Office received 524 cases of violation of children's rights, most than a half of the abused children were aged between 7 and 14, and most cases of violation were reported in Zagreb.
Matijevic Vrsaljko expressed dissatisfaction with mild sentences for children abusers, as well as with the fact that competent persons were failing to take measures to protect children from abusers.
Persons committing violent acts against children are often only fined, while those accused of sexual abuse often receive only suspended prison sentences, and prison sentences are imposed only in rape cases, she said.
The parliament concluded the debate on the Ombudswoman's report and continued its session with a debate on the 2004 report of the Ombudswoman on Gender Equality.