Barbados has for the first time chosen this month of April to draw attention to, and take action against, a scourge in our society still seen as taboo.April 1-30 is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month under the theme “Speak up, Speak out. Report Child Abuse”Minister of People Empowerment Kirk Humphrey has rightfully indicated that child abuse continues to a blight on Barbados.At Monday’s launch of the month of activities, he expressed concern there is at least one case of child abuse reported daily, and at least one sexual abuse case per week.According to the latest statistics, there were 41 child abuse cases in January – 12 physical, 10 sexual, and 18 cases of neglect. In February, there were 42 cases – 12 physical, six sexual, and 23 cases of neglect.The overall number of reported cases of child abuse in 2021 was 489, including 114 for physical abuse and 115 for sexual abuse – a slight increase over 2020 when there were 476 cases of reported child abuse, of which 111 were physical abuse and 106 were sexual abuse.