The students at Navai Primary School have been advised to make use of the National Child Helpline, “1325” to report cases on child welfare. This advice came to them from Minister for Women, Rosy Akbar during her official visit to the school yesterday.

“It’s a toll-free line that we encourage students and the parents to use the helpline to report cases of child abuse and neglect. The Ministry has received many reports on child welfare and our mission is to stop children from being neglected or hurt,” Minister Akbar said.

“You can use the toll-free line ‘1325’ on your mobile phone to report cases of child abuse, neglect and seek free counseling services from professional counselors who speak in English, Hindustani, Rotuman and iTaukei language.

“It is very important to report cases when you are aware that a child is being neglected or abused. We have the laws in place; in case of domestic violence decree, there is a no drop policy and last year we have also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Fiji Police so that any cases concerning the welfare of women and children is addressed with urgency. We have to ensure our children are not subjected to violence,” she said.

Meanwhile, more than 8000 calls have been received to date since January last year through the National Child Helpline, (over 500 cases have been genuine cases that have been addressed with key service providers like Police, Ministry of Health and Education).

Source: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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