Refugee families attend child protection conference

**Sr Ancy John of Rights Relationship Ministry under the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, with West Papuans at Rainbow Refugee Camp in Port Moresby last week – Picture supplied**

A REFUGEE community in Port Moresby has been informed on the importance of keeping a safer environment, through child protection awareness by the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBA).
The CBC said in a statement that more than 50 families of Rainbow Refugee Camp of the West Papuans received the awareness from its right relationship minister on Aug 23.
The awareness informed the people who a child was, their rights to be protected from all forms of violence and abuse and why it was important to create a safe environment.
“The parents have the responsibility of taking care of their children from the time of conception,” Sr Ancy John told the members of the camp. “It includes physical, mental and spiritual needs of the child that are met within accord with the family-parents capacity.”
Significant factors like family, parents, peer groups, neighbours, environment and the wider community have a great contribution to children in their personal growth, behaviours and attitudes.
Cooperation from the community is needed to help each other for child protection.
Everyone has an obligation to protect children under the age of 18.
“Our focus is the child so let us create a safe environment, a safe home, a safe community, a safe school, a safe society and a safe nation, we protect our children from danger and harm,” Sr Ancy said.