A Technical Working Group consisting of police, government officials, religious groups and non-government organisations profiled more than 30 young people and street dwellers in Suva last week.
The profiling conducted by the multi-stakeholder group aimed to learn and address issues faced by young people and street dwellers. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP-O) Livai Driu said they welcomed religious organisations’ plea for a collaborative and effective approach to dealing with the increase in young people loitering in towns and cities.
A meeting was held earlier this month which was chaired by the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga and Assistant Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran after concerns were raised on the number of youths on the streets, and for the multi-stakeholder group to work for a possible way forward.
ACP Driu revealed the taskforce had been operating out of the Totogo Police Station where they had managed to profile more than 30 adults and children.
It was discovered that some children had opted to live in Suva because of safety concerns at home as some were suspected child abuse victims, while others were referred to police and other stakeholders for counselling and investigations.
He said the Fiji Police Force shared the sentiments raised by the religious leaders of strengthening the family institution as everything starts from home.
“If these young people are choosing life on the streets rather than being home, we need to look into the why factors,” ACP Driu said.
“The taskforce is working on identifying the why factors, so the solutions can be targeted rather than a Band-Aid solution”.
He said the police was committed to this exercise as it would greatly assist proactive policing measures in keeping young innocent lives from falling on the wrong side of the law.
