PARIS, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - The French military's high command has ordered a probe into allegations by Swedish soldiers that French troops 'tortured' a militia member in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003, a spokesman for the defence ministry said.

SYDNEY, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Widespread sexual abuse of children was ongoing in state care in South Australia for decades, with an inquiry saying Tuesday that hundreds of people came forward to report they were assaulted.

JAKARTA, March 21, 2008 (AFP) - Denied food and cooped up for two months as a virtual prisoner in northern Iraq, Indonesian migrant worker Darmiati said she was a victim of abuse that started even before she left her country.

A recruitment agency in Indonesia told the 22-year-old it could get her a job in Iraq despite the fact that tests showed she had Hepatitis B.

MONTEVIDEO, March 13, 2008 (AFP) - UN-assisted childrens' rights groups Thursday demanded the immediate shutdown of a juvenile detention center outside Montevideo, saying young offenders are subjected to physical abuse and torture.

TOKYO, March 13, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese police said Thursday they received a record number of domestic abuse cases last year, with people in their 30s most likely to be both victims and perpetrators.

COPENHAGEN, March 12, 2008 (AFP) - Battered women in Denmark have a multitude of shelters to choose from but men in need of a haven after divorce, losing their job or fleeing abusive wives have to elbow for room in just three brimming crisis centres.

BERLIN, Feb 9, 2008 (AFP) - One of the standout performances so far at this year's Berlin Film Festival was given by an actress who still has little idea of the role she played and who will have to wait eight years to even see it.

GENEVA, Feb 8, 2008 (AFP) - Switzerland's Catholic Church is embroiled in a series of sex scandals, with some priests denouncing media intrusion while others say past sins and abuse must be confronted.

OTTAWA, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) - A case involving teenagers who allegedly killed a pet cat by microwaving it during a home burglary last month has provoked outrage among Internet users, leading authorities to block some web sites, police said Monday.

DUBLIN, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) - Ireland has so far paid over 750 million euros (1.1 billion dollars) in compensation to victims of abuse in child care institutions and their lawyers, a compensations body said Friday.