The Government is committed to children's welfare through its programs of health care and education, but these have not been adequate to meet the needs of the country's sharply increasing population. Marshall Islands is working to incorporate the provisions of the Convention of the Rights of the Child into law. The Domestic Relations Amendment of 1993 defines child abuse and neglect and makes them criminal offenses. Other legislation requires teachers, caregivers, and other persons to report instances of child abuse and exempts them from civil or criminal liability as a consequence of making such a report. Because the Attorney General's Office considers the Child Abuse Law vague and difficult to apply, ways to improve it are being explored.
Child abuse is thought to be relatively uncommon, and there have been few child abuse prosecutions.
The Government investigated two child sexual abuse cases in 1995, both involving foreign offenders. There is no discrimination against disabled persons in employment, education, or in the provision of other state services. Until 1994 there were no building codes, and there is still no legislation mandating access for the disabled. There have been no reported instances of discrimination against the disabled. Section 6 Worker Rights a.