CALLS for stronger early intervention for children at risk of entering Fiji’s correctional system have been raised in Parliament, with concerns over children roaming the streets and becoming involved in offending.
During parliamentary debate this week, Opposition MP Premila Kumar urged the Government to establish clearer responsibility for intervening when children were found living or spending extended periods on the streets. She warned that without early intervention, some of these children could eventually enter the corrections system.
Mrs Kumar said relying broadly on a “whole-of-government and whole-of-community” approach could leave responsibility unclear and called for agencies to work together on a specific intervention mechanism involving children, parents and guardians.
Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu said the Government was already working with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and the Ministry of Housing, particularly through its urban outreach teams.
He acknowledged, however, that previous efforts to return children to their families or rehabilitation centres had not always been successful, with some children returning to the streets.
Mr Vasu said the Government would continue working with communities and relevant agencies to find a solution, describing the issue as a national concern.
The discussion also highlighted calls for stronger village discipline, with MPs pointing to village bylaws and traditional leadership as possible tools for preventing youth offending.
