Members of the public are urged to exercise responsible online behaviour and prioritise well-being of those involved.
The call from Fiji’s Online Safety Commission follows a disturbing video circulated widely on social media platform Facebook showing a young girl being beaten by a man with a hose pipe inside their home at Vunivivi, Nausori, while others around watched.
Instead of sharing, the Commission has implored on social media users to report all links to the respective social media platforms and or directly to the Online Safety Commission.
It urged members of the public to cease sharing the disturbing violent content because it would only perpetuate the cycle of violence and exploitation.
“Let’s share the responsibilities and work towards creating a safer online environment for everyone, especially for our children.”
Police have confirmed the incident happened at Vunivivi, Nausori on February 2, 2024.
The man now identified as Ratu Kinijoji Katonivere, 43, has been charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and presented in court.
His case has been adjourned to February 19.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya called it child abuse and not discipline.
“This is not discipline Fiji, this is child abuse! It is a crime and it must stop!” Ms Tabuya said on her social media Facebook page.
“Five out of six children in Fiji face this!”
Ms Tabuya said the adults standing around were “also part of perpetuating this crime”, and she called on them to “speak up, step in, protect the child and report the perpetrator!”
“Let’s band together Fiji to protect our children, be the voice for the voiceless, be the help for the helpless!”
