All children need protection

TODAY, June 4, marks the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
On this day, we must pay homage to Papua New Guinea’s child victims of whom there have been many.
The extent of such cases in PNG is not known partly because there is an absence of an effective reporting system and also because most abuse cases are carried out in secret and are perpetrated upon a vulnerable group of people who are helplessly dependent upon their adult counterparts to take some form of remedial or corrective measures.
Although the issue of child sexual abuse has featured in some studies into domestic violence, the prevalence of this form of abuse has not been the focus of any comprehensive and systematic study.
Certain customary practices which many adults see as justifying the invasion of a child’s right to privacy may no longer be justified or legally protected in this country.
For parents, most children bring great joy, and their attention to the children’s every need reinforces their sense of belonging.
All through his or her growth and development, parents brag to anyone who will listen about every little milestone.
This attention and a stable family environment are key elements in a traditional upbringing.
There is, however, a population of children who do not benefit from this daily attention and/or reinforcement.
Many children, through no fault of their own, become wards of the court.
These are the children who have been removed from their biological parents and/or other primary care provider due to some type of abuse, physical, mental, sexual or neglect. Once under the protection of the court, all sense of normalcy can disappear
Sadly, PNG can be classed as one not taking active action to protect children against brutal actions in terms of treatment and respect towards children.
From depriving them of polio vaccinations, to thrashing them within the walls of their own homes, a place that is supposed to be a safe haven from the violent outside world – even if they commit a mistake unknowingly – children in PNG are not given the basic humans rights that they are entitled to, including the right to live in a safe environment without violence and aggression.
Despite Papua New Guinea’s economic boom led by extractive industries, almost 40 per cent of the country’s population lives in poverty.
The 2017 Human Rights Watch report claims the government has not taken sufficient steps to address gender inequality, violence, corruption, or excessive use of force by police.
Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world, and the perpetrators are rarely prosecuted.
Even though the government has officially abolished school fees, primary education is not compulsory and barriers remain, including long distances to school, insecurity, lack of water and sanitation facilities, and limited access for children with disabilities. Thirteen per cent of primary school-aged students and 60 per cent of secondary school students were out of school in 2012, the latest year for which information is available.
The system and/or the process we have are designed to meet only the most basic of needs, however, these efforts can fall short of the love and need to belong.
Depending on the age of these children and the status of their case, a prolonged absence of need can lead to a sense of isolation, loneliness and anxiety.
Imagine being a child who has been removed from the secure environment of their family.
The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.
This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protect the rights of children.