Nearly 200 cases recorded: Domestic violence and child abuse Growing pressure on specialized services

The figures revealed to Parliament on April 21 reveal a worrying observation: in just a few months, nearly 200 cases linked to domestic violence have been recorded in the northern region. Behind these statistics, a deeper reality emerges: that of a system under pressure in the face of an expanding social problem.

Between January 1 and April 17, 2026, the Family Protection Brigade of the northern division handled 198 cases, the large majority of which concerned situations of domestic violence. This category alone represents 132 cases, combining physical and verbal violence, threats and psychological abuse. Even more alarming, 49 cases of child abuse were recorded, including 40 linked to sexual offenses. To this must be added 17 cases of mistreatment against the elderly, mainly of a psychological nature. These figures, concentrated over a period of less than four months, reflect a significant increase in domestic violence, confirming a trend already observed in recent years. years. Faced with these situations, the police intervene on average within 15 minutes, a sign of real operational responsiveness. But the further processing of the files reveals another reality. Of the 198 cases identified:l only 27 resulted in legal sanctionsl 12 were resolved by counselingl 150 are still under investigation, with delays of up to 4 to 5 monthsA situation which highlights the gap between the urgency of interventions and the slowness of legal and administrative procedures. The Family Protection Brigade of the northern division currently has only 14 police officers, responsible for covering a vast territory including 14 police stations, from Tombeau Bay to Grand Baie and from Rivière-du-Rempart to Pamplemousses. Added to this is an instability of the workforce: since 2023, 13 officers have been transferred, replaced by 12 others. If these rotations are presented as normal, they nevertheless raise the question of continuity and expertise in a highly specialized unit. Since 2022, the merger between the family protection and minor protection units has given rise to a unique structure. A reform which aimed to rationalize resources, but which today raises questions. Faced with the increase in cases, some elected officials are calling for a restructuring and separation of units, in order to better respond to the specificity of the situations, particularly in terms of child protection. The authorities indicate that steps are underway to strengthen the workforce and improve the organization, but these adjustments remain dependent on administrative procedures. Beyond the figures and the police organization, these data highlight a broader reality: the