Shocking statistics reveal that five out of six children in Fiji experience violence, while the Fiji Police Force has recorded an average of five child sexual abuse cases every week.
The Ministry of Children says while they are working on developing the National Action Plan for Prevention of Child Abuse and implementation of Child Protection and Child Justice Acts to prevent abuse, it is important to provide much-needed care for those who have been violated.
Minister Sashi Kiran stressed the importance of providing specialised care to help children heal from trauma.
She says they are in collaboration with UNICEF and have launched an extensive training program to strengthen the capacity of local counselors in supporting child abuse survivors.
Kiran says this specialised training incorporates sports, music, and art therapy, offering holistic healing approaches for children of all ages.
The initiative also benefits from the expertise of world-renowned mental health specialist Dr. Koen Sevenants, the technical lead for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the UNICEF-led Child Protection Area of Responsibility.
The Minister says the primary goal of this initiative is to build a network of qualified and dedicated professionals capable of delivering effective psycho-social support to vulnerable children.
She also highlighted the long-term impact of abuse, noting that once a child experiences trauma, it can affect them for life with some struggling to build trust in relationships while others may, tragically, go on to become perpetrators themselves.
This initiative aims to break the cycle of abuse by ensuring that children receive the care, protection and support they desperately need.
Please call the child abuse helpline number 1325 if you know of any child abuse cases.
