Salanieta Daunabuna, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection, emphasized the vital role of parental responsibility in preventing child abuse and neglect during her speech at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Suva on the International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse (PCAN). The event commenced with a march through Suva City.
Ms. Daunabuna outlined that parental responsibility encompasses creating a safe environment for children, which includes meeting their basic needs such as food, water, and shelter. She highlighted the fact that violence against children not only causes harm but also disrupts societal cohesion and incurs substantial economic costs globally.
The importance of this issue was further underscored with data from the National Child Welfare Act database, which recorded 1,477 cases of child abuse and neglect last year. According to 2023 statistics, 54% of child victims were girls, with the majority suffering from neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Alarmingly, about 58% of these victims were under the age of 12, and there was a noticeable increase in cases involving infants under one year old.
Ms. Daunabuna pointed out that 72.7% of abusers were known to the victims, with half being immediate family members.
Drawing a poignant analogy, she likened child protection to a frangipani flower, which represents the natural essence of a child. The roots of this flower symbolize the support systems of families, communities, and culture that are essential for a child’s healthy development, represented by the flower’s five petals: love, trust, protection, care, and respect.
Looking ahead, she introduced the 2024 PCAN theme, “Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. It starts with us,” which accentuates the importance of nurturing a supportive and loving environment for children. Ms. Daunabuna shared an actionable framework dubbed the CHILD acronym — Communicate, Help, Invest, Love, and Devote time — as a way to foster children’s growth and success.
This message serves as a reminder that, with commitment and community involvement, we can create a safer and more nurturing world for our children, paving the way for a brighter future.
In summary, the article brings attention to the critical role of parental responsibility in child protection, illustrating both the challenges faced and the steps necessary to support children’s well-being effectively. By fostering strong roots within families and communities, we can help children thrive and develop into successful individuals.
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