GROUP FEARS WIDESPREAD CHILD ABUSE

A 327 page report by the World Organization Against Torture documents cases of child abuse and torture in more than 30 countries.  The group had documented 2,169 cases but fears the number of young victims was actually in the millions.  The report is entitled, The Hidden Crimes and is based on studies carried out between 1995 and 1998.  Included in the report are kidnapping, rape, forced labor, executions, sexual abuse, beatings, murder, witnessing scenes of extreme violence against their relatives, being denied food and drink, arbitrary arrests and detentions.  In some countries, children are jailed with adults and are subjected to abuse by them or they are beaten mercilessly when they are working as forced laborers.