The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has expressed grave concerns over child safety following an attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl near Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Suva on Ash Wednesday. Loukinikini Lewaravu, the Commission’s Director, indicated that this alarming incident could be part of a broader trend affecting children in Fiji.
Reports reveal that an unidentified woman attempted to convince the girl to leave with her. When the girl resisted, the woman allegedly tried to seize her, but a bystander intervened, averting what could have been a tragic outcome. This event has prompted the Commission to urgently call on parents, guardians, and teachers to enhance their supervision of children’s movements, especially during school commutes and in public spaces.
Lewaravu underscored the necessity of community involvement in child protection, highlighting the increased need for the Fiji Police Force to bolster their presence in urban areas and school zones to deter similar incidents. In response to this event, a meeting with Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu was convened to address these pressing concerns and advocate for more robust police engagement where children gather.
This alarming incident also highlights a significant issue of domestic human trafficking in Fiji, where children are especially susceptible to various forms of exploitation, including forced labor and sexual abuse. The Fiji government has made commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect minors from harm and exploitation.
The Commission is calling for families, schools, and communities to educate children on personal safety and how to recognize unsafe circumstances. Empowering children with the knowledge and confidence to voice concerns in threatening situations is pivotal in preventing future abductions.
This incident aligns with previous events raising awareness around child safety in Fiji, reiterating the risks children face due to insufficient monitoring. Proactive community engagement is essential for ensuring child safety, as echoed by law enforcement in past reports.
While these occurrences are deeply troubling, they also provide an important opportunity to foster awareness and collaborative action aimed at creating a safer environment for Fiji’s children. By uniting efforts among families, educational institutions, community organizations, and law enforcement, Fiji can strive towards nurturing a safer, more supportive atmosphere that allows its youngest citizens to thrive without fear.
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