Overview
- New spousal abuse cases increased 6% to 2,136 in 2024, up from 2,008 in 2023.
- New elder abuse cases rose from 297 to 359, with MSF pointing to an ageing population and stronger recognition of abuse.
- Child abuse cases climbed about 14%, with physical abuse the most common in higher-risk cases and primary school-aged children forming the largest share of lower-risk cases.
- A significant share of spousal cases were self-referrals, and referrals from the Police and the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team have grown since the team’s 2023 launch.
- High-risk elderly vulnerable adult abuse cases edged down from 42 to 38, while 18–64 vulnerable adult cases rose from 23 to 32 and self-neglect cases fell from 28 to 14, with neglect the most common primary harm among vulnerable seniors.