11-year-old child abuse victim stable as Tabuya calls for urgent action

The 11-year-old girl who is a victim of child abuse is stable and recovering from injuries she sustained after she was beaten up by her father.

A video of the incident is being shared widely on social media while the father has been produced in court and is currently in remand.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya has confirmed the child’s condition as she visited her at the Children's Ward at the CWM Hospital this morning.

Tabuya says after making an assessment, they have decided to place her under the State Emergency Care, where she will be taken care of by the Ministry as she does not feel safe at her own home.

The Minister says after the trauma, the family members believe that she needs to be at a safe house, and requires proper counselling from a child psychologist.

She has reminded 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 which is more than what women face.

Tabuya says due to the alarming statistics, they are working with UNICEF and other stakeholders to come up with a National Action Plan to prevent violence against children.

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.

Tabuya is also 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.

She adds that the child's mother was not at home when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old father has been charged with Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm and has appeared in the Nausori Magistrates Court.

Police say the incident occurred on the 2nd of February, 2024.

They say the man, identified as Ratu Kinijoji Katonivere has been remanded and will be produced again in court on the 19th of this month for bail application.

Police say the video surfaced after he was remanded.