Report child negligence: Official

THE director of the National Office of Child and Family Service, Simon Yanis, is urging people to report to police and his office if they see parents neglecting their children.
Recent reports in the media regarding of horrific incidents of abuse of minors and child deaths prompted him to warn parents and guardians about neglecting young children. “There is a provision for the informer’s responsibility under the Lukautim Pikini Act that allows for neighbours and community leaders to report parents and caregivers to police or my office if a child is found to be abused or neglected,” Yanis told The National yesterday
He said the Lukautim Pikinini Act clearly outlined parental responsibilities and that parents and caregivers should ensure that their responsibilities towards children under their care were met.
“Also, measures of children’s safety and security must be taken into consideration when making decisions.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on gender-based violence and Alotau MP Charles Abel said of the alleged abduction and rape case: “It is disturbing to see some more recent occurrences of attacks on women and children.
“In particular, the report of the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old girl is alarming.
“We have tried to get some more verification from the police about this incident.
“As a leader and a father of daughters, I am sickened by such behaviour.
“We must not become numb to it or accept it and I call on the
police to pursue this matter to the end.
“The Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV is doing its part within its capacity as a parliamentary committee.”