DEALING with bullying of students will need a multi-faceted approach, says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
She said in the case of the 16-year-old Ratu Navula College student Mosese Namuamua, all relevant organisations should work together in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“This will require a multi-faceted approach, meaning that it should be the responsibility of many significant stakeholders to contribute to addressing the issue of resorting to violence within our communities,” she said.
She explained that another approach was early intervention.
“However, early intervention is key to establishing behaviour change and building respectful relationships between peers and partners. “Violence can be avoided if our children are nurtured in their very early years in the home environment.
“We are all aware that violence is not the way to resolve conflicts, and if this is reinforced in our churches and temples and in our communities and options taught for resolving tensions in a respectful manner, then we shall be on the way to a happy and peaceful society.”
She said the ministry had systems in place to ensure a child was protected in any environment.
“With this aim, the ministry is working with NGO partners to provide education and awareness about building respectful relationships and good parenting skills. Investigations about the death of the 16-year-old continues. The ministry is also working to strengthen child protections within and across government and non-government agencies.
“Our multi-stakeholder REACH program specifically provides awareness on child rights when working in communities.”
