Taipei: Taiwan recorded 2,425 child abuse cases last year, with the rate of abuse rising by 17 percent over the past five years, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said at a press conference on Tuesday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the ministry’s data reveals that the proportion of abused children under 18 increased from 0.23 percent in 2020 to 0.27 percent in 2024, despite the declining birthrate. Chang Hsiu-yuan, director-general of the MOHW’s Department of Protective Services, stated that 93 percent of last year’s cases occurred within the home, with over 80 percent of abusers being the child’s parents. Only 7 percent of cases took place in external childcare settings.

Chang highlighted that nearly half of the reported incidents involved physical abuse, such as slapping or shaking, often stemming from a caregiver’s momentary loss of control. The increase in reported cases reflects both actual incidents and heightened public awareness of child abuse. Improved reporting mechanisms and evolving attitudes have encouraged more people to report such incidents, including a legal obligation for hospitals to report child abuse cases.

The data indicated that 52 percent of cases occurred during daily caregiving routines, such as feeding, bedtime, or toilet training. Common triggers for these incidents include inconsolable crying, bedtime resistance, mealtime struggles, or refusal to clean up, overwhelming caregivers who may lack adequate parenting knowledge or support.

Yang Pei-lien, a child development expert, noted that social media’s portrayal of “perfect parenting” might intensify anxiety and self-doubt among new parents. She emphasized that crying is a baby’s natural way of communicating, and establishing routines helps convey a sense of safety to the child while reducing parental stress. Yang encouraged families to share parenting responsibilities, set boundaries, and practice staying composed and supportive during high-stress moments, stating, “You don’t have to be perfect parents — being dedicated ones is enough.”