The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, has expressed deep concern over the growing number of young children being found dead or reported missing across the country, calling on families and communities to take greater responsibility for child safety.
“We are deeply concerned at the number of young children being found dead or reported missing around the country,” Kiran said.
The Minister stressed that many of these tragedies could be prevented through stronger family communication and supervision, particularly during the school holiday period when children are more vulnerable.
In this era of mobile communication, Kiran said parents and guardians must make it a priority to know the whereabouts of their children at all times.
“There is no excuse for not knowing where our children are,” she said. “Families must stay in touch and stop making assumptions that a missing child is safe at a relative’s home without actually checking.”
Kiran said the Ministry has observed a worrying pattern throughout the year, with children found living on the streets being returned to families, despite no missing persons reports having been filed.
“These children were exposed to serious risks, yet no alarms were raised,” she said. “This tells us that communication within families is breaking down.”
She added that the rise in drug-related cases has made communities increasingly unsafe, heightening the need for vigilance from parents, elders, and neighbours.
The Minister urged families to establish clear ground rules, including sharing travel plans, expected arrival times, and communicating immediately if plans change.
“The holiday period should be a time of rest, joy, and family connection — not one marked by avoidable harm,” Kiran said.
She encouraged family elders to maintain open communication with children, regularly check on their emotional and physical wellbeing, and ensure they are not left unsupervised in unsafe environments.
Children who feel unsafe, distressed, or in need of support are urged to contact the Ministry’s 24-hour toll-free Child Helpline 1325.
