Parents and guardians will face legal consequences if children under their care are found loitering or living on the streets.
This is the warning from Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran.
“You are your child’s first line of protection. Neglecting this responsibility will not be overlooked,” she said.
She added that protecting children is both a constitutional right and a moral duty.
The Minister said an inter-agency team, working with the Medical Services Pacific (MSP) and the Salvation Army, has been picking up children from the streets, providing them with food, shelter, and counselling, before returning them to their homes. In some cases, children have gone back to the streets, prompting warnings to parents and the possibility of charges for neglect.
“If families are struggling, we are here to assist with livelihood options, but using children to earn a living is not acceptable and is an offence,” she said.
Loitering is an offence under Section 8 of the Minor Offences Act, carrying a penalty of up to three months in prison.
The 2013 Constitution also guarantees children the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitative labour.
The Minister urged children placed in rehabilitation or training programs under the Inter-Agency Exit Strategy Pathway Partnership not to return to street life, warning that repeat offenders will face prosecution.
“Loitering is not a path forward — it only sets you back. Parents and guardians must keep children safe at home, engaged in proper programs, and away from the streets,” she said.