Save The Children calls for a whole of community approach to stop sexual abuse of children

Save The Children Fiji is calling for a whole of community approach to stop sexual abuse of children.

They are particularly concerned with the sexual offences data released from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and has noted that between December 2022 to March 2023 alone, 39 children suffered from sexual abuse.

CEO Shairana Ali says a collective approach is needed so that everyone in the community is empowered to speak up and come forward to report any inappropriate behaviour towards children.

Ali says they are currently scaling up a Safe Families program to empower parents and children to learn about preventing violence and abuse against children and to make homes and communities safe for children.

She adds a national partnership on child protection is key and they call on the government, civil society and faith based organisations to strengthen child protection systems and work collectively with Save the Children Fiji to end violence and abuse of children in our community.

Ali says a consistent and continuous approach is required to change attitudes and behaviours towards children and to promote child rights and child protection in communities and the onus is on everybody to do their part because sexual violence against children is not acceptable and preventing such crimes is society’s responsibility to children.