The disturbing video of a young girl being subjected to violence at her home in Nausori last Friday serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to end violence against children.
It highlights the critical role parents, caregivers and bystanders play in preventing and addressing such incidents.
“We call on every parent, guardians and caregiver to seek support and guidance on positive discipline methods that promote healthy child development and respect for children’s rights,” Save the Children Fiji CEO Shairana Ali said.
She said there should be zero tolerance for abuse of any kind against vulnerable children in Fiji, “and every member of the community must learn to speak up, stand up for child rights and protect children”.
“We can no longer stand by and witness abuse against children in our communities and we must band together to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.
“The culture of violence must be broken, and it is up to all members of the community to collectively fight this injustice against children,” Ms Ali said.
She urged bystanders who witness instances of child abuse to intervene safely and report such incidents to relevant authorities.
“Silence in the face of violence only perpetuates the cycle and puts children at further risk.”
