The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has expressed urgent concerns regarding the safety of children, particularly those under the age of 16, who have been observed unsupervised in public areas at night during the festive season. The Ministry emphasizes that leaving children unattended after dark poses significant risks, including potential abuse, exploitation, robbery, and road accidents.
In response to this alarming situation, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, has announced plans to conduct regular night patrols and sweeps in identified hotspots throughout the festive period. This initiative aims to enhance the safety of children and ensure they are supervised during risky nighttime hours.
Child Welfare Officers, alongside Labour officers, will be actively deployed to identify at-risk children, provide support to families in need, and take necessary actions under the Child Care and Protection Act. Parents and guardians have been strongly reminded of their responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 16 are not left unsupervised in public places at night.
If children are found loitering without a legal guardian, they will be taken to the nearest police station, and Child Welfare Officers will be alerted to provide counseling to both the children and their families. The Ministry has also indicated that repeated instances of neglect could lead to legal action to reinforce parental responsibility.
To create a safer environment for all children, the public is encouraged to cooperate with authorities by reporting any cases of unsupervised children. Community members can reach out to the toll-free Child Help Line at 1325 to report such incidents, contributing to the collective effort to protect vulnerable children during this festive season. This unified approach underscores the importance of community vigilance and parental responsibility in safeguarding the well-being of children.
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