During a recent event at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Suva, Salanieta Daunabuna, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Women, Children, and Social Protection, emphasized the critical importance of parental responsibility in preventing child abuse and neglect. This message was presented in conjunction with the International Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse (PCAN), which commenced with a march through Suva City.
Ms. Daunabuna highlighted that parental responsibility involves creating a secure environment for children, ensuring their essential needs are met, and protecting them from all forms of harm. She underscored the far-reaching impact of violence on children, arguing that it threatens societal stability and incurs significant economic costs globally.
Citing statistics from the National Child Welfare Act database, she shared that there were 1,477 reported cases of child victimization in the previous year. Alarmingly, the data revealed that 54 percent of these victims were female, with most cases involving neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Most concerning was the finding that 72.7 percent of the perpetrators were familiar to the victims, with half being immediate family members.
To illustrate the essence of child protection, Ms. Daunabuna used the frangipani flower as a metaphor, representing the nurturing environment of families and communities. Each petal of the flower symbolizes essential attributes such as love, trust, protection, care, and respect, all crucial for a child’s development.
Looking ahead, she revealed that the theme for 2024 PCAN is “Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. It starts with us.” This theme reiterates the vital role of supportive adults in a child’s life and promotes a framework encapsulated in the acronym CHILD: Communicate, Help, Invest, Love, and Devote time to children.
This initiative serves as a hopeful reminder that through collective efforts, families and communities can significantly impact children’s futures, fostering environments where they can thrive and succeed.
In summary, the emphasis on parental responsibility and community involvement in protecting children and nurturing their development is crucial for building a brighter future. The focus on open communication and support emphasizes that with the right foundation, every child has the potential to succeed.
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