Official says parents can be in trouble for neglect

By BRADLEY MARIORI
MANY children seen sleeping in front of shops and begging in the streets of urban centres have poor parents and guardians who need money to support the family, an official says.
Acting secretary of the Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion Jerry Ubase said the increasing number of street kids and beggars in urban areas must be addressed.
The National Child and Family Services, through an investigation, discovered that most of the children had parents or guardians.
“Some live with single parents or with other families and are forced to go and look for money to help feed the family,” Ubase said.
“Many of (the children) are forced by their parents to be on the streets.
“They (do not do it) on their own will. It’s the parents and guardians who are forcing them to do this.”
He said there were provisions under the Lukautim Pikinini Act which could land these parents in trouble (for neglect).
“We appeal to everyone to report (any) parent doing this or anybody who is forcing children to go on the streets to look for quick money or to sleep on the streets to entice people to give them money or force children into other illegal activities,” Ubase said.
“We will get to these children and interview them one by one.
“We will find out where their parents and families are and we will go with the police to arrest these people.”