Discipline Your Child with Love not Anger: Pastor Atu Vulaono

When you discipline your child it should be rooted in love not through anger.

These were the sentiments by the New Methodist Church founder and general superintendent Atunaisa Vulaono.

His statement was in reaction to a video clip showing a Year Seven student (12-year-old) who was allegedly beaten by her father last Friday.

The child is now under state care.

The man beat his daughter on February 2 and a video of the alleged incident has been circulating on social media.

Pastor Vulaono said discipline was required in our society, especially within our won individual homes, but in a rightful way that does not require punishing or beating up the child.

“It should be rooted in love and more communication that comes with understanding is required,” he said.

“What we have seen in the video was brutal. A sad reality children have to go through this type of abuse on a daily basis.”

Religious representatives at the Fiji College of General Practitioners held a talanoa session yesterday in conjunction with the Fiji Council of Churches.

Ms Tabuya said the trauma after what had occurred the family members had given the permission that she needs to be in a safe house and counselling from a child psychologist.

“Let me remind parents and guardians that this kind of behaviour is a crime and this must stop because five out of six children in Fiji face child abuse,” Ms Tabuya said.

She is also challenging faith-based organisations, vanua leaders and turaga ni koro to address this at the highest level possible because this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I’m urging guidance and relatives to speak up on these issues and overcome the culture of fear which is a crime under the Crime Act and if a child dies surrounded by adults who failed in their duties to take care of the child, they can be charged for manslaughter by negligence,” Ms Tabuya said.

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