Island-Wide Research and Next Steps in the Approach to Child Abuse

The execution of this study was outsourced to the University of Curaçao. Within this framework, intensive discussions were held with various, primarily local, stakeholders from the children's rights sector. This preliminary research was completed at the end of February 2026, and the resulting advisory report was officially presented to the Ombudsman on May 19, 2026.

The report identifies crucial bottlenecks that require a targeted approach. It reveals that the underreporting of child abuse plays a major role and that specific forms of maltreatment are not always swiftly recognized. Furthermore, the report notes that while physical correction is sometimes still normalized within the culture, emotional abuse often remains completely invisible. Additionally, children do not always speak out freely, partly because social proximity within a small community heavily impacts the openness of victims.

Through this preliminary study, the Ombudsman has gained clear insight into the most appropriate research direction to effectively map out the identified issues. The study demonstrates that to fully understand how, why, and where child abuse occurs on the island, it is essential to conduct further research and baseline measurements. The Ombudsman expects that these subsequent studies, which will be carried out in phases, will substantially contribute to breaking taboos and increasing awareness and knowledge of children's rights throughout the entire Curaçao community. Ultimately, this will ensure that the fundamental rights of the child on the island are structurally better protected and safeguarded.