MORE than 16,000 child welfare cases, including thousands involving neglect and physical abuse, were registered by the Department of Children between 2012 and 2025.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the figures were a wake-up call for families, schools and communities to take urgent action to protect children.
Speaking at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration at Suva Grammar School Hall yesterday, Ms Kiran said child neglect, missing youth and sexual violence remained serious concerns. “These numbers are a severe wake-up call,” she said. “Child neglect, missing youth, and sexual violence are deeply interconnected crises. We cannot look away.”
Police data recorded 1703 missing persons cases between 2021 and 2025, with children accounting for 46 per cent of the cases.
“Most devastatingly, the 2025 report from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions shows that out of 135 rape and sexual offense victims, 79 victims – 58.5 per cent – were children under 18, with some as young as 4 and 5 years old.”
Ms Kiran said some cases involved abuse within families, while some accused persons were juveniles as young as 12.
She urged teachers to take disclosures of abuse seriously and report suspected cases immediately.
“When a child finds the courage to speak up, listen, take them seriously, and report it through the official channels immediately,” she added.
She also called on parents to make time for their children and create safe environments where they could speak without fear.
“When we protect our girls, we protect Fiji’s future.”
Children experiencing abuse or feeling unsafe were encouraged to contact the free Child Helpline on 1325.
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