Media hailed for role played to reduce abuse

Acting chief executive officer of Office of Child and Family Services Simon Yanis has credited media for its advocacy on children’s rights.
He said that had played a great role in the reduction of child abuse cases recently.
Yanis said in recent years, the office had seen a drop in cases of abused children in Port Moresby to 40 cases per week, compared to 70 in previous years.
“The drop in abused cases of children in Port Moresby is because there has been an aggressive media advocacy on children’s rights lately than in the past, especially in the last two years, which means that by now the message of parental responsibility to children has been drummed home,” Yanis said yesterday.
He said parents’ negligence of children’s rights had been brought to the limelight by media, and they (parents) were aware that their actions were scrutinised by the public.
“Many people now know that we have an office dedicated to protecting children’s rights and seeking justice for those who have been abused,” Yanis said.