Children at Risk at Home and Online, Minister Warns

Children in Fiji are facing growing risks both within their homes and in the digital space, as new data reveals the scale of violence and vulnerability affecting young lives.

Speaking at the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Violence Against Children Validation Workshop, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, warned that many children are not safe even in the environments meant to protect them.

Figures presented at the workshop show that nearly 5,000 cases of child abuse were reported between 2021 and 2023, with more than half of the victims under the age of 12.

The data also reveals that more than 50 per cent of perpetrators are immediate family members, while 68 per cent of cases involve neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

The Minister said these findings highlight a difficult reality — that violence against children often happens inside the home, across both rural and urban communities.

At the same time, she raised concerns about emerging risks facing children in the digital age, noting that increased exposure to online spaces is creating new vulnerabilities.

She said families must be better supported to understand their role in protecting children, especially as young people navigate “various cyberspace gadgets” from an early age.

The Minister stressed that child protection today must go beyond physical safety and include emotional, mental, and digital well-being.

She added that while Fiji has strengthened its legal framework, real protection depends on stronger coordination between systems and greater awareness within communities.

The national action plan, currently under validation, aims to bring together government, civil society, and community leaders to address violence against children in all its forms.