Supervision Prevents Repeat of Child Abuse

Following the conclusions of recent international studies, authorities in Helsinki closely followed the progress of a hundred children who had been abused. After three years, only one child suffered a repeat of the crime.

Police say it's the watchful eye of the authorities that have reduced the number of repeat offences.

"If the authorities hadn't gotten involved, the fate of these children would be much worse. International studies show that if we don't get involved, the abuse continues and becomes more brutal," says Kari Tolvanen, the head of the Helsinki Police's Department of Violent Crime.

Typical injuries to babies are unexplained bone or skull fractures, burns and bruises in strange places. In the past few years, police have been alerted to a few cases of intentional infant poisoning. Usually social workers or health care professionals become suspicious when the explanations given can't quite explain the type of injury.

This year authorities have been alerted to 150 suspected cases of child abuse - 40 more than last year.