Fiji Marks International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse

Parental responsibility is important to ensure the prevention of child abuse and neglect, says the Acting Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection Salanieta Daunabuna.

She said this yesterday at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Suva during the International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse (PCAN) which started with a march through Suva City.

“Parental responsibility means providing a safe living environment for your child from abuse and any other forms of harm, and fulfilling your child’s basic needs such as food, water and shelter,” Ms Daunabuna said.

“Violence does more than harm to our children. It undermines the fabric of our society and makes it harder for our children to build happy, healthy lives which cost the global economy billions of dollars each year.”

Ms Daunabuna said the National Child Welfare Act database reported 1477 cases last year.

“According to CWA statistics 2023, 54 per cent of child victims were girls, 68 per cent were of child ne-glect, physical abuse and sexual abuse. About 58 per cent of the child victims were below the age of 12,” she said.

“Child victims below the age of one were 4.4 per cent. This is an increase compared to 2022 to which 3.7 per cent were under the age of one.”

Ms Daunabuna said 72.7 per cent of the perpetrators were known to the victim.

“Of this 72.7 per cent, 50 per cent are immediate family members.”

Ms Daunabuna said the frangipani flower was the child protection symbol because it exemplified the natural essence of a child.

“The flower is a symbol of a child and the roots from which the flower grows symbolises families, communities, schools, culture and religion.

These roots, when strong, will help the child grow and develop their five petals which symbolise love, trust, protection, care and respect.

“In order to help children grow, their roots must work together by guiding them, speaking up and being their voices. Families and communities must spend time with their children and focus on enricing their physical, mental, emotional and spirit wellbeing.”

2024 theme

Ms Daunabuna said the 2024 PCAN theme was ‘Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. It starts with us.’

“The theme reminds us of the importance of parental responsibility and providing children with a safe and loving environment to help them grow,” she said.

“One of the ways, we can achieve this is through the CHILD acronym; Communicate with them, Help them to fulfill their dreams, Invest in their future, Love them and Devote to spending time with them.”

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