WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao lacks a clear understanding of the true extent and nature of child abuse on the island, prompting the Ombudsman to call for comprehensive island-wide baseline studies and further research to better protect vulnerable children.
The findings come from a preliminary study commissioned by Ombudsman Keursly Concincion and carried out by the University of Curaçao. The research, launched in 2024, involved consultations with local organizations and professionals working in the field of children's rights. The preliminary study was completed at the end of February, and the final advisory report was presented to the Ombudsman on May 19.
According to the report, one of the biggest challenges is the widespread underreporting of child abuse. Not all forms of abuse are recognized or reported in a timely manner, making it difficult to determine the true scale of the problem.
The study also found that physical punishment is still considered acceptable in some segments of society, while emotional abuse often goes unnoticed or unrecognized. Researchers further noted that Curaçao's small-community dynamics may discourage children from speaking openly about abuse, as family members, schools, care providers and alleged perpetrators often belong to the same close-knit social circles.
The Ombudsman stressed that the preliminary study does not provide definitive statistics on the number of child abuse victims. Instead, it highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive research to determine where abuse occurs, the forms it takes, and the factors contributing to it.
As a next step, the Ombudsman wants to conduct island-wide baseline assessments to identify which groups of children are most at risk, where gaps exist in the child protection system, and which forms of abuse remain the least visible.
According to Concincion, the expanded research will also help raise public awareness, break long-standing taboos surrounding child abuse, and strengthen the protection of children's rights across Curaçao.