“Our children are being preyed upon by the very people that should be keeping them safe.”

The Acting Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho yesterday warned parents, guardians and members of the public to be vigilant in protecting our children.

He did not mince his words during the signing of the Interagency guideline on Child Abuse and Neglect at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

“I would like to sound the warning bell to all parents and guardians not to sleep on duty,” Brigadier-Generaline was signed between the Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Ministry of Education.

It is to streamline and strengthen child protection services, increase  awareness and wider consultation among families and communities.

“Our children are being preyed upon by the very people that should be keeping them safe and out of harm’s way.

“I’m often at a loss for words when I hear of such reports and wonder what these children have done to deserve such ill treatment at the hands of the very people who should be protecting them.

“Is our society accepting this behaviour and has chosen to look the other way or keep silent just because the perpetrator is a relative. Will we continue to accept the traditional “bulubulu” when a child is wronged and say he or she is still young and will not be affected? We need to work together to better promote and protect the rights of our children.”

It has been 17 years since the Fiji Police Force signed another Interagency Guidelines on Child Abuse and Neglect with Government.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar said the last protocol for protective services for children and young people of Fiji, was signed in 1998.

It was between Police, the then Department of Social Welfare and some government ministries.

“The Department of Social Welfare cannot help the victims of child abuse, neglect and abandonment on their own,” Ms Akbar said.

“We need to implement effective prevention strategies to stop child abuse and neglect before it happens and foster commitment to social change.”

Brigadier-General Qiliho, meanwhile, called on members of the public to join them and help stop the attacks on our children.

Edited by: Maikeli Seru

Feedback:  shahani.mala@fijisun.com.fj