Yanis tells govt agencies to help prosecute parents

DIRECTOR of the National Office of Child and Family Services Simon Yanis is urging responsible government agencies to work together to prosecute parents for child negligence.
Yanis said this following the recent increase in media reports of children being abused, reported missing and facing prosecution for crimes committed.
“Kids go through peer influence but when it comes to behaviour monitoring, parents must take the responsibility and they must know where their children are going, where they are getting the money, how they are using the money,” he said.
“If they are irresponsible then parents are to be blamed.
“Children are innocent, parents should be guiding them.
“Police coming across children at odd hours, doing odd activities should do a thorough investigation.
“Police must work with us and the Juvenile Office from Department of Justice, to make sure that the parents are held accountable.
“We law enforcers must come together to prosecute the parents by the Lukautim Pikinini Act or any other laws. Negligence of parental responsibility is an offence.
“Parents and guardians are responsible.
“Lukautim Pikinini Act talks about parental responsibility.
“When children are getting in trouble, parents must be blamed and prosecuted under the Lukautim Pikini Act.
“It is a criminal offence for parents to let their children unsupervised.”
He said child negligence was morally wrong as well.
Yanis urged the National Capital District and other main centres with his office to establish their provincial offices of Child and Family Services.