Save the Children Fiji has called for the immediate revival of the National Coordinating Committee for Children (NCCC), citing a disturbing surge in child sexual abuse cases, many of which involve perpetrators known to the victims.
The plea comes on the heels of statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Last month, 66.67 percent of the 15 sexual offense victims were under 18, with 40 percent of the incidents involving relatives. The previous month saw 57.89 percent of the 38 victims underage, with 55.26 percent of the perpetrators known to them. In April, 60 percent of the 25 victims were minors, and 64 percent were abused by acquaintances.
ODPP Office Stats
“Sexual abuse is an inhumane gross act of violence inflicted on children. It is alarming to note that despite the awareness and preventative programs, each month, more and more cases are being reported,” said Shairana Ali, CEO of Save the Children Fiji. “While the State has the primary duty to protect and promote the rights of children, it is also our collective responsibility to address this ongoing scourge.”
Ali underscored the necessity for a coordinated national action plan, one that the NCCC could effectively champion given its mandate to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by Fiji in 1993. The committee, believed to have last met in 2023, is led by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, and includes key stakeholders such as the ministries of education and health, other government agencies, civil society members, and faith-based organisations. It is tasked with advising, regulating, and monitoring the protection and welfare of children in Fiji.
“We must act together now and with urgency to prevent the abuse of children and ensure that the next generation does not face the debilitating long-term impact of violence,” Ali said.
Ali also called for tougher laws to ensure perpetrators face severe consequences. She highlighted the need for the Child Care and Protection Bill 2024 and the Child Justice Bill 2024 to reflect the gravity of these offences and prioritise the well-being of children. She also urged the state to consult with key stakeholders on implementing the Registration of Sex Offenders Act 2021 and activating the Child Sex Offenders Registry.
Important as well Ali says is advocacy and awareness efforts – the importance of intensifying education and awareness programs to inform parents and communities about child rights and abuse recognition, noting that abuse often occurs within familiar settings.
“The horrific acts that children are encountering especially from people known to them is a gross violation of their rights and leaves long-lasting trauma which children live with for the rest of their lives. Therefore, there is an urgent need for national action and for a stronger coalition to end all forms of violence inflicted on children with special attention on ending sexual abuse of children.”
Shairana Ali, Save the Children Fund Fiji CEO
