Serious concerns have been raised about the growing problem of child violence in what should be safe environments such as homes.

The interim permanent secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Salaseini Daunabuna, highlights the worrying statistics from the database of the National Child Protection Law, revealing that 72.7%, which is equivalent to 1074 out of 1477 perpetrators of violence against children, were known to their victims.

She said that of the 1,074 perpetrators, 50 per cent or 537 were members of the immediate family, highlighting the vulnerability of children in their own households.

“This was an increase on 2022 where 3.7% were under 1 year old and that should be of great concern to us as a community. These statistics indicate that violence against children often occurs in what we should call a safe space for children.”

Daunabuna emphasizes the critical role of parents and guardians in ensuring the safety and well-being of children, free from abuse and any other forms of harm, and in meeting the child’s basic needs, which include food, water and shelter.

Chief Executive of the Fiji Council of Social Services, Vani Catanasiga, notes the overwhelming nature of this problem.

“Not only are we dealing with drugs, we’re dealing with crime, we’re dealing with crime, but we’re dealing with disasters and we’re dealing with climate change. All the issues we face as stakeholders.”

The Ministry is working to end violence against children and create a safer future for Fiji’s children.