10-tear-old boy hospitalized after alleged violence by uncle in Kirkuk

KIRKUK — A 10-year-old boy was hospitalized on Sunday after suffering severe injuries allegedly caused by abuse from his uncle. The child was admitted to a hospital in Kirkuk after losing consciousness, with medical examinations revealing clear signs of physical abuse.

Saman Yaba, spokesperson for Kirkuk’s Health Directorate, told 964media, “The boy was brought to the hospital unconscious and showing signs of severe trauma. Medical examinations revealed injuries on his back, thighs, hands, and sides. The hospital police were immediately notified, and the child’s uncle, who had accompanied him to the hospital, was arrested.”

The child is currently receiving treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit, and his condition remains under close supervision.

A security source told 964 media that the child’s father is currently in prison, while his mother is separated from the family. The boy had been living with his uncle and the uncle’s wife in the Kobani neighborhood of Kirkuk. Following the alert from hospital authorities, security forces detained the uncle, who is under investigation.

The uncle has denied the abuse allegations, claiming the injuries were the result of “playful behavior.” However, authorities continue their investigation into the case.

Nizal Nazem, a representative of the Chawy Zhyan Organization for Children’s Rights, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “If the boy had not lost consciousness and been brought to the hospital, this abuse might have continued unnoticed. Unfortunately, such cases are not rare. The government’s lack of sufficient cooperation with child welfare organizations makes it even harder to prevent these incidents.”

Domestic and family violence in Iraq has reached critical levels, with nearly 14,000 incidents reported in the first five months of 2024 alone, according to a June 9 report by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. This surge in cases is largely attributed to the lack of effective legislation to combat such violence and protect victims, most of whom are women and children.