SUVA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Some 131 cases of sexual abuse of children have been recorded by the Child Services department of Fiji's Social Welfare Ministry so far this year.

Child Services Assistant Director Ela Tukutukulevu said on Friday there were also 30 cases of rape and attempted rape, 68 cases of sexual abuse and exploitation and 33 cases of sexual harassment and molestation of children.

Tukutukulevu said the ministry continues to work with its relevant stakeholders to help process these cases and make relevant referrals.

She added that some of these cases are currently before the court and in some cases where parents are the perpetrators the children are taken away from their homes for their safety.

Meanwhile, 748 child cases were recorded by the Child Services last year and 130 cases alone were of sexual abuse, according to reports released in January.

Over 700 cases related to child abuse were recorded by Fiji's Social Welfare's Child Services Department in 2018.

Child negligence topped the list with 226 cases followed by 149 physical abuse cases and 130 sexual abuse cases respectively.