The number of child abuse cases in our country continue to increase every year.
Minister for Women and Children Mereseini Vuniwaqa informed Parliament that in 2012, there were 313 reported cases of child abuse while in 2016 there were 1,077 reported cases.
She says there were 897 cases of neglect while there were 552 cases of physical abuse.
Vuniwaqa says the perpetrators of most sexually abuse cases in Fiji were immediate family members.
She says the Ministry in collaboration with National Co-ordinating Committee on Children celebrates the prevention of child abuse and neglect around the country involving communities, schools, religious organisations and municipalities highlighting and raising awareness on the issues of child abuse.
Vuniwaqa says together with the Save of Children they hosted a symposium for children which gives an opportunity to the children to speak about the issues relevant to them and that needs to be addressed not only by government but by relevant stakeholders.
