Two staff members from the Dilkusha Methodist Girls Home have been sent home as investigations about the alleged abuse of children at the home continues.

This comes after a complaint was lodged with the Fiji Human Rights Commission.

Now, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Fiji Police Force, is involved as well.

Methodist Church spokesperson Reverend Wilfred Regunamada said they would not comment on the matter until a full briefing was provided by the committee responsible for the operation of the home.

He said the committee was going to give a brief on the matter to the executives of the Methodist Church today and would comment on the matter later.

It is alleged that the two staff members were ill-treating the children by way of corporal punishment, subjecting them to verbal abuse and making them sleep outside on floors and benches.

Photographs showing children with bruises and sleeping on the floor and benches were obtained by the Fiji Sun.

The complainant alleged that the abuse was happening since August last year.

Social Welfare director Rupeni Fatiaki said the church was conducting its own investigation and they were being kept abreast with the developments.

He said they would meet the church heads today to discuss the matter further.

Former president for the Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa said it was during his term when he received the letter from the Social Welfare Division director.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission director, Ashwin Raj, said the principal complainant who had provided the commission with photographic evidence had been interviewed.

Methodist Dilkusha Home Superintendent Deaconess Salaseini Watisovea Kacivakawalu referred all queries to the head office when approached for a comment yesterday at the home.

Fiji Police Force spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed their investigations were ongoing.

There are 37 children being cared for at the home today.

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