Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish the Member for Iqaluit, could provide percentages when asked. He uses the words, the growing need. With the information that I have been provided by my department, in 1991 the incidence of child sexual abuse between the ages five and eight was 23 per cent, and in 1992-93 it was down to 16 per cent. For ages zero to four, in 1991-92, the incidence was 15 per cent, and in 1992-93 it was 16 per cent. I'm talking about the reported cases.
In the age category 16 to 18, the incidence was 8.5 per cent in 1991-92 and nine per cent in 1992-93. In 1991-92 between the ages of 13 and 15, 26.5 per cent of children were sexually abused, and in 1992-93 the figure was 22.3 per cent. Between the ages of nine and 12, 27 per cent of children were sexually abused in 1991-92 and in 1992-93 it was 36.7 per cent.
I think it is important, when we talk about something as serious as this, that we have accurate numbers. I don't object to the wording that the Member used, but because of the nature of what we're talking about I think it is important for the public to know.
Since awareness was commenced about four years ago, we have had a snowball effect now that it is okay to talk about sexual abuse. It is out in the open. According to the stats that we have from two years ago, the numbers have not increased. Perhaps it will have increased for adult numbers for this coming year, but that is yet to be seen.
There is help available in each region, when it is requested. Specialists are available to help the communities get started with self-help groups, which our department is directing, so the communities can deal with some of the serious problems themselves, along with the help of the department. Thank you.