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Officials from Fiji’s social welfare services are investigating reports that a three-year-old boy has been hospitalised because of serious injuries from an alleged beating by his father.
The development comes as Save the Children Fiji today asked government to take primary responsibility in protecting children in Fiji by ensuring violence against them is stopped before it happens.
Acting permanent secretary for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Govind Sami told FijiLive that officials in the West have been asked to investigate the issue.
“Once I have been updated, the child services in the ministry will decide on the appropriate action that will be taken against the father,” he said.
The 10-year-old boy was reportedly admitted to the Lautoka Hospital last week after allegedly being severely beaten by his father three weeks ago.
Sami said that if the allegations proved to be true, the ministry may seek a court order to take the child in for his own safety.
“The protection of children is the department’s statutory responsibility and we have to ensure that no child under the age of 17 years is exposed to any form of physical or moral danger,” he said.
Save the Children chief executive officer Chandra Shekhar said violence against children should not be condoned regardless of the situation or who the perpetrator is.
“Violence is not a solution to any problem and children should not fear being reprimanded through violence,” said Shekhar.
A child growing up in an abusive household learns to solve problems using violence rather than through peaceful means, he said.
“Appropriate support and counseling will help children to grow up learning how to relate to others with trust and respect.”
