The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is deeply concerned about the safety of our children following a recent incident involving the attempted abduction of a 12 year old girl near the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Suva on Ash Wednesday.
Commission Director, Loukinikini Lewaravu says according to social media reports brought to the attention of the Commission, the child was on her way to school after attending morning mass when a woman, not known to the child, approached the child asking the child to follow her.
When the child refused, the woman allegedly attempted to grab her by the hands.
A bystander witnessed the incident and intervened, preventing a potentially tragic outcome.
The Commission is urging parents, guardians, and teachers to be especially vigilant in supervising and monitoring the movement of young children, both at home and while commuting to and from school or any public space.
Lewaravu says the Commission also calls on the Fiji Police Force to increase their patrols and presence in urban centres and near school zones to ensure the safety and protection of children.
The Commission met with the Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu yesterday in this regard, requesting increased police presence in public spaces.
Lewaravu says this disturbing incident highlights the continued threat of domestic human trafficking in Fiji — a crime that involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons within the country for the purpose of exploitation.
She says children are particularly vulnerable to such abuse, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of coercion.
Lewaravu says it is the duty of Government and the public to cooperate and ensure that children are protected from any form of abuse and exploitation.
Section 10 of the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji enshrines the right of every person to be free from human trafficking, slavery, servitude, and forced labour.
Lewaravu says empowering children with knowledge and confidence to speak up in threatening situations is crucial in preventing abductions and abuse.
The Commission reiterates that child safety is a collective responsibility, and the communities must work together and with official authorities, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations and NGOS to prevent harm and protect the rights of every child.
When approached by fijivillage News, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says the concerns raised were discussed during a fruitful meeting yesterday and the Fiji Police Force shares their sentiments that child safety is a collective responsibility.
Tudravu stresses that if people come across situations such as this to report the matter to Police so appropriate action can be pursued.
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