The Acting Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection, Salanieta Daunabuna, emphasized the critical role of parental responsibility in combating child abuse and neglect during a speech at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Suva, coinciding with the International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse (PCAN). The event began with a march through Suva City, highlighting community awareness of this pressing issue.
Ms. Daunabuna outlined that parental responsibility involves creating a safe environment for children and meeting their essential needs such as food, water, and shelter. She pointed out that violence against children damages not only the individuals affected but also adversely impacts society as a whole, resulting in substantial costs to the global economy.
Citing data from the National Child Welfare Act database, she reported that in the previous year, there were 1,477 cases of child abuse and neglect. Notably, 54% of the victims were girls, and the majority experienced neglect or physical and sexual abuse. Alarmingly, a significant number of victims were under the age of 12, with 4.4% being infants.
Furthermore, Ms. Daunabuna revealed that the majority of abusers were familiar to the victims, with 50% being immediate family members. She used the frangipani flower as a symbol of child protection, illustrating how strong familial and community ties are essential for a child’s growth and development.
Looking ahead, she shared the 2024 PCAN theme: “Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. It starts with us.” This message reinforces the importance of nurturing and a supportive environment for children’s development. To promote this, she introduced the CHILD acronym—emphasizing the necessity of Communication, Helping fulfill dreams, Investing in their future, Love, and Devotion of time to children.
This initiative serves as a hopeful reminder that each individual has a role in fostering a nurturing environment that can pave the way for children to thrive, transforming into success stories. It underscores the collective responsibility of families and communities in enriching the lives of children, ultimately aiming to eradicate abuse and neglect.
Summary: The Acting Permanent Secretary highlighted the importance of parental responsibility in preventing child abuse during the International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse in Suva. She discussed alarming statistics regarding child abuse cases and advocated for strengthening family and community bonds to nurture children. The 2024 theme emphasizes that every child needs supportive adults to succeed, presenting a hopeful vision for improving child welfare.
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