Many parents in our neighbouring communities especially around the city know that their children are coming on the streets, but they don't necessarily take action.
Assistant Minister for Women Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran highlighted this at the Capacity Development on Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Services by Empower Pacific at Southern Cross Hotel.
She says according to the latest statistics for last month from Police, at least three girls are being abused a day somewhere in Fiji, and at least five to six children a day.
The Assistant Minister asks how many more cases go unreported as these statistics are not just numbers.
She says they represent the pain and suffering of the children in our country.
Kiran says they are a call to action for all of us to renew our commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of every child in our care and to respond with empathy, urgency, and professionalism when a child is in need.
She says they are seeing trafficking of all kinds, as well as abuse.
The Assistant Minister told the participants they are not only front line responders, they are the healers and the advocates, and the voices of these children who cannot speak for themselves.
She told them they have the power to transform their lives by providing them with the support so desperately needed to recover from the trauma.
