The Fiji Police Force is urging parents and guardians to engage in open discussions about sensitive topics, as it is crucial for children to receive accurate information from trusted figures.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa highlighted a growing worry regarding children’s involvement in adult-like behaviors, which has led to rising teenage pregnancies and juveniles facing sexual offense charges.
ACP Waqa expressed that the Fiji Police Force shares the concerns voiced by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health regarding these social issues. He emphasized the need for parents to continuously counsel their children.
He stated, “We need to get comfortable discussing subjects that are often deemed taboo; if children do not receive this information from their parents or guardians, they may seek it from less reliable sources.”
ACP Waqa also underscored the crucial role of family in addressing significant challenges facing today’s youth in Fiji.
“Everything begins at home. The consistent message from all community stakeholders is the need for vigilant monitoring of children and their activities to prevent regrettable situations,” he added.
He noted that police often observe an increase in reports of missing teens during school holidays and the Hibiscus festival, primarily due to a lack of communication.
“Proper supervision will protect children from associating with the wrong crowd and getting involved in situations that could adversely affect their futures,” he explained.
With a comprehensive strategy against the illicit drug trade gaining traction, ACP Waqa warned that children are becoming prime targets for drug dealers.
“Concerns about children being exploited to sell drugs should be taken seriously, as dealers often target locations popular with juveniles and young people. Those engaged in drug distribution will go to great lengths for profit and will not hesitate to exploit innocent children,” he concluded.