207 reports of child porn, abuse in 2016

207 cases of child pornography and child abuse have been reported in 2016 so far – more than the total reported in 2015 and a clear indication that the number of reports was continuing to increase year on year, according to data submitted in parliament on Tuesday by Michael Farrugia, minister for the family and social solidarity.

The minister, who was answering a question put to him by PN MP Etienne Grech, said that action had been taken in 74 of the 207 cases reported this year so far under the Childweb Alert system.

40 of the cases were found to involve Maltese children.

204 cases had been reported in 2015, with action taken in the case of 117 reports, and Maltese children being involved in 41 cases.

Of the 168 cases reported under the Childweb Alert system in 2013, 115 had been acted upon, with Maltese children found to have been involved in 46 of the cases.