A NEW inclusion to the rise of non-communicable diseases is now practised by children in our society.
What is referred to by children as “smack juice” was addressed by facilitators and participants at the male advocacy workshop in Nadi to be a step taken too early by children — the consumption of cordial imitating adults consuming alcohol and kava during merrymaking sessions.
What happens next, says Ministry of Women project officer on gender-based violence trainer Salote Niki is that while dealing with health issues during these gatherings could always lead to other nasty business when parents are out and going about their own businesses without monitoring their children.
“Your job as gatekeepers are not only to curb violence against these children and women but to cover all spheres of life, even health issues,” Ms Niki said.
“Therefore, you need to be vigilant in your work and update reports on any signs of abuse, even among children when their parents are showing signs of neglect.”
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said the bigger crime was to turn a blind eye to issues of abuse of any kind.
“Report them always and follow through with the relevant authorities,” Ms Ali said.
She said the later stages of the workshop would see the introduction of certain laws needed to protect victims of abuse.
“Every gatekeeper should know how to advise victims, the need for protection and knowledge to acquire information needed by victims at any levels of authorities within the stakeholders of the law.”
