Child Protection

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1466037365423{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”clean_links”][vc_column_text css_animation=”right-to-left”]Child protection is taking action against all forms of abuse, neglect, violence or exploitation of children. This includes child trafficking (and slavery), abduction and sexual abuse. In Fiji, a child is a person under the age of 18 years.

Medical Services Pacific has a range of programs to help vulnerable children and families. MSP works under formal protocols with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the Fiji Police Force, the Ministry of Education and UNICEF to address issues of child abuse.

In Fiji, MSP is hosting the national Child Helpline providing a 24 hour (7 days a week) telephone information and counseling service for children and youth and those reporting child abuse or neglect or needing support.

For help and assistance email help@msp.org.fj or call 1325. For general information, you can find the CHL on facebook too ! https://www.facebook.com/Child-Helpline-Fiji-854318031303686/timeline/

In Fiji Call 1325

The Child Helpline is for children or youth and for those who may wish to talk about children at risk in their environment or to find out information and resources to assist children or youth in need.

Charlie

CHL Charlie

EDUCATION and AWARENESS VISITS

You can request the MSP Child Protection Team to visit your school or community to provide information and awareness about the Child Help Line. Email: counsellor@msp.org.fj or help@msp.org.fj or program.manager@msp.org.fj

Our skype is: child helpline fiji

CHILD HELPLINE POSTER DOWNLOADS

Poster Download : Child Help Line

Information for Children – Download KIDSFlyer

MSP has visited many schools and photographs can be found on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Child-Helpline-Fiji-854318031303686/timeline/

For general information and non urgent assistance, you can skype: childhelpline fiji or call 1325 for inquiries.

FACTS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child Sexual Abuse is the involvement of a child in a sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, for which the child is not developmentally prepared or that violates the laws or social norms of society. Child sexual abuse can occur between a child and an adult or between a child and another child, who by age or development is in a relationship of responsibility. There are various forms of sexual abuse including but not limited to rape, incest, indecent assault and pedophilia.

Where can Child Sexual Abuse Occur?

Family groups
Home
Schools ( including the journey to and from school)
Village/settlement
In a shop
In at Taxi, bus or other public transport
Medical center, hospice or other location without a child protection policy
In church, temple, or mosque ( or other sacred place of worship)
At a friends house; and
Anywhere – where a child is alone with an abuser !

Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse for the Child

Unwanted pregnancies
Reproductive complications
Sexual transmitted diseases
Mental health problems and depression or withdrawal
Suicidal behavior
Social exclusion
Stigma
Poor self-esteem in adulthood
Self-destructive behavior (or addiction to drugs or alcohol)
Behavioural challenges and lower performance problems in school

Facts and Figures

1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. [1]
Fiji Police Force registered 685 cases of child sexual abuse for 2014[2]
Children who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile and 30% more likely to commit violent crime [3]
Children often do not disclose abuse immediately following the event out of fear of the perpetrator[4]
Incest/ intra familial abuse is said to account for about one third of all child sexual abuse cases[5]
Incest and sexual abuse crosses all socio-economic, race, class barriers. It happens in both rural and urban environments[6]

Prevention Strategies:

MSP has a holistic program designed to address sexual assault, gender violence and to reduce Child Vulnerability. MSP works with Government to strengthen services and to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies.

Our strategy to reduce child vulnerability and risk of sexual assault includes three phases:

Primary Prevention – approaches that aim to prevent child abuse and violence before it occurs.
Secondary Prevention – actions that focus and address the more immediate responses to child abuse and violence
Tertiary prevention – programs that focus on long-term care in the wake of violence or abuse.

However, a nation wide approach is required to make children safe in their homes, schools and communities.

References.

Safe Horizon, “Child Abuse Facts”, 2015 https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-abuse
Fiji Police Force 2014 Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
Idem
WHO Guidelines 2003, p.76
WHO Guidelines 2003, p.75
“Prevention is Key”, WWSF Guide for NGO and Citizen action, p.26
With thanks and acknowledgment of Fiji MWCPA Fact Sheet 2015

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