Drug-Free World Fiji Founder Kalesi Volatabu is calling on parents to spend more time on their children and create an environment at home where they can talk about issues because when kids do not have boundaries set for them or have security, they are going to look outside for a sense of belonging and family.
While responding to a question on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the erosion of morals and values, not feeling safe and facing child abuse in their own home resulting in children loitering on the streets,Volatabu says the words that you say and how you treat your children affect them.
Volatabu who is a former addict and survivor of child abuse and neglect says parents are the first role model for children and they should not expect the teacher or anyone from the outside to do that.
She says there are certain things children are being influenced by and instead of going outside and being influenced by somebody else, please create a platform that they can come to the parents first and talk to them.
She says become a friend for them and not come down really harsh on them.
Volatabu says obligations towards the church, the vanua or the family take parents away from their responsibility, but the family comes first.
