Save the Children Fiji says sexual abuse of children must stop immediately

Save the Children Fiji says sexual abuse of children must stop immediately

By Alipate Narawa
Tuesday 02/05/2023
Save the Children Fiji CEO, Shairana Ali [Image: File]

Sexual abuse of children must stop immediately.

Save the Children Fiji CEO, Shairana Ali has stated this adding they are horrified after the recent reports of sexual abuse of children in Fiji.

Ali says child sexual abuse is a serious violation of children’s rights and robs a child of the opportunity to enjoy their childhood while impacting them emotionally, psychologically and physically in the long term.

She says it is appalling, distressing and distasteful to learn of reports of children these past few months who are as young as three and four years old becoming victims of heinous sexual crimes.

The CEO also says the damages faced by children who are sexually abused is a lifelong one.

Recently the Fiji Police highlighted a case of a 12-year-old child who was allegedly raped by her 37-year-old uncle in Labasa as well as a 16-year-old girl allegedly raped by three men in Sigatoka.

Ali further says these atrocious acts committed on children must stop and as a society, we collectively hold our heads in shame that such abhorrent behaviors have become a daily occurrence in our society.

She adds equally concerning was the report released by the Office of the DPP in Suva of the February sexual crimes statistics that shows that of the 29 victims of sexual crimes, 18 were under the age of 18 years old, or children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant domestic legislation.

In the DPP’s January 2023 statistics, there were 26 victims of sexual crimes of which 22 were under the age of 18.

These statistics are an indication of a huge problem that exists in our society and one that demands a concerted effort and collaboration of government and stakeholders to address.

The CEO is calling on the government and all relevant stakeholders to address the increasing number of sexual attacks on children.

She says it is time to have hard conversations about child sexual abuse, adding people must break the silence and the taboos around sexual abuse conversations especially with their children and begin to shine a light into this abhorrent practice.

Save the Children Fiji is urging members of the public to closely supervise their children and talk to children about sexual abuse and how to get help if they have been sexually abused.

They are specifically concerned to hear that majority of the perpetrators who have committed such crimes are known to the children and often, they are trusted and in positions of power and authority and are from within the family unit.

The CEO reiterates that every child has a right to safety and protection and a child is never responsible for the sexual abuse.

She says children may mask their emotions for a number of reasons especially if the perpetrator is known and is someone whom they trust the most, for example, they may love him as their grandfather but want the sexual abuse to stop!

Ali is calling on the State as the duty bearer and relevant stakeholders including parents, faith-based institutions, business houses, communities and NGOs to work together to ensure child safeguarding and child protection policies are in place and that we collaborate to ensure that children are protected from these heinous crimes.

She says as a society, we are failing our children and destroying their future if we are not able to keep them safe and protected from abuse and exploitation.

The CEO also says when communities work together and take action, they are able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

All children deserve a good start in life and deserve to live a life of dignity and enjoy their childhood.

Ali further says child sexual abuse and neglect are serious social problems that can have long-term impact on health, education, opportunity, and well-being of children.

She adds we must address this scourge in our community now, whether through national platforms, community talanoa sessions, faith-based settings or even in family.

The CEO also adds these hard conversations must be had adding if you believe a child is in immediate danger, call Police on 917 or 919.

Children and youths can also contact Child Helpline Fiji on 1325 to seek the help of professional counselors.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
More officers needed in Lami, 3 Police Posts with 63 officers serving more than 30,000 people - Naisoro
More officers are needed in Lami as the former Chair of Lami District Council of Social Services, Asaeli Naisoro says they have only 3 Police Posts wi...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Flooding of low lying areas expected in Suva, Nausori, Navua, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, the North and other areas
Please be prepared as flash flooding in low lying areas in Suva, Nausori, Serua to Namosi including Navua, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, Beqa, Vatulele, ...
2 hours ago

Four in court over Blenheim Palace gold toilet theft
Four men have appeared in court charged over the theft of an 18-carat gold toilet from Blenheim Palace. The USD$6M lavatory was stolen from the ...
3 hours ago

5-year-old and 1-year-old receive gifts of life from Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital
5-year-old Inisevoli Navakavua and 1-year-old Laala Kiseli received a new gift of life from the Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital. Poate ...
3 hours ago

Dr Qereqeretabua and Dr Ahmed to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7 tonight
The General Surgeon at Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Doctor Timoci Qereqeretabua and Principal Medical Officer at the National Diabetes Centre, ...
3 hours ago

Vashist Muni College students assisted by Navua couple across flooded area to sit for Year 12 exam
Despite the heavy rain and flooding in Navua this morning, a couple took the initiative and offered to transport Year 12 students of Vashist Muni ...
17 hours ago
IN DEPTH
PM’s motion passed to reduce overseas travel allowances for the PM, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Leader of Opposition and MPs
Parliament has passed the Prime Minister’s motion to reduce the rates payable for overseas travelling allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet ...
7 days ago

CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
13 days ago

HIV infections in Fiji increased 260% since 2010, making Fiji the second fastest-growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific region
Speaker of Parliament and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific Region, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says according to the Global AIDS Monitoring Report, Fiji is in the top 5 countries of rising new HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region amongst the 15 t
17 days ago

TOP