The number of child abuse cases is growing and remain unreported because the child may be under pressure from their family not to report the situation.

This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Jennifer Poole to more than 50 social welfare officials from 12 Pacific Island countries at the first Pacific regional workshop on child protection for the social welfare sector in the Pacific at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday.

Ms Poole said the number of child abuse cases in the Pacific was not decreasing.

“The number of reported cases of child abuse and neglect is increasing as a result of advertising campaigns, rights awareness and the increased availability of family services,” Ms Poole said.

“We know from child psychology that children in abuse situations may tell their story 10 times before an adult hears them and believes them, let us learn to listen.

“It is critical that children grow up in a caring, loving and protective environment.”
150 in care homes

There are 150 children residing in the nine foster care homes around the country.

This statistic was relayed by the Director for Social Welfare, Rupeni Fatiaki during the first Pacific regional workshop on child protection for the social welfare sector in the Pacific at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday.

Mr Fatiaki said the number of children who came into the homes each year continued to increase. He said the majority of the children came from broken families.

“As we have done our case assessments, majority of the children are coming from broken families and that is an area that we are working on with the stakeholders to strengthen the family unit,” Mr Fatiaki said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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