Safeguarding national and international context
Taqomaki ni ituvaki ni matanitu kei na veimatanitu
Safeguarding in Fiji has undergone significant reform and strengthening in recent years, reflecting growing national recognition of the need to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. The country’s safeguarding framework is grounded in a combination of modern legislation, national policy, and institutional coordination, supported by international child protection standards. Central to this system are the Child Care and Protection Act 2024 and the Child Justice Act 2024, which together establish a comprehensive legal basis for preventing harm, responding to safeguarding concerns, and promoting the wellbeing of children.
Complementing these laws, Fiji approved its first National Child Safeguarding Policy in 2025, providing a unified, cross-sector framework that defines safeguarding responsibilities, standards, and procedures across government, civil society, and community institutions. The policy aims to address previously fragmented approaches by ensuring consistent practices in reporting, referral, and prevention, while reinforcing accountability for all organisations working with children
Legal and regulatory framework in Fiji
Constitutional Protection
- The 2013 Constitution of Fiji guarantees child protection rights.
- Article 41 affirms that every child has the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, and hazardous labour.
Child Care and Protection Act 2024
This is Fiji’s primary safeguarding law. Key provisions include:
- Protection of children from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation
- Establishment of clear reporting obligations for children in need of care
Child Justice Act 2024
- The act seperates children in conflict with the law from those in need of protection
- Emphasises rehabilitation and diversion, rather than punishment
- Raises age of criminal responsibility and aligns with child rights standards
Other Relevant Legislation
Although not exhaustive, safeguarding intersects with:
- Domestic Violence Act (Decree) – addresses family violence impacting children
- Adoption Act 2020 – regulates adoption and care arrangements
- Crimes Act 2009 – criminalises abuse, exploitation, trafficking
- Public Health and Education laws – support child welfare and mandatory reporting environments
Fiji government policy framework
National Child Safeguarding Policy (2025)
Fiji’s first unified safeguarding policy, approved by Cabinet in 2025 Provides a whole-of-government and whole-of-society framework
Establishes minimum safeguarding standards, roles and responsibilities across ministries and organisations. Applies to government ministries, civil society organisations, faith-based and private sector entities.
Requires child-safe codes of conduct, safe recruitment and vetting processes and training and risk management systems.
Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection (MWCSP)
Lead government body responsible for safeguarding. Key roles:
- Policy development and implementation
- Case management through the Department of Children / Social Welfare
- Community awareness and prevention programs
- Coordination with Police, Health services, Education sector
- The Ministry operates under multiple legislative mandates and international commitments.
Safeguarding referral system in Fiji
The referral system is largely defined by the Child Care and Protection Act 2024 and operationalised through the national policy.
1. Identification and Reporting
Any professional or community member can report suspected abuse or neglect. Legal protections exist for reporters (whistleblower protection).
2. Intake and Case Assessment
Reports received by:
- Department of Social Welfare / Department of Children
- Police (in urgent/criminal cases)
- Initial risk assessment conducted
3. Inter-Agency Referral
Cases are referred across agencies:
- Health (medical examination, treatment)
- Police (investigation)
- Courts (protection orders)
The law explicitly mandates inter-agency coordination and information sharing
4. Intervention
Actions may include:
- Family support services
- Counselling
- Removal to safe care Emergency protection orders
Safeguarding referral system in Fiji
Core Human Rights Treaties
Fiji has ratified:
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1993)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (1995)
- Convention Against Torture (CAT) (2016)
- ICCPR and ICESCR (2018)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Convention on Enforced Disappearance
4.2 Child-Specific Optional Protocols
Optional Protocol on:
- Sale of children, child prostitution and pornography
- Involvement of children in armed conflict
4.3 Implications for Safeguarding
These treaties obligate Fiji to:
- Protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation (CRC Article 19)
- Promote gender equality and protection from GBV (CEDAW)
- Ensure access to justice and services
- Implement child-centred safeguarding systems
To raise a safeguarding issue
All issues and concerns raised will be kept confidential and on a need to know basis only.
Email our anonymous address complaints@caritasfiji.org
Ring our safeguarding contact point on (+679) 285 9183
Email our executive director at executive.director@caritasfiji.org
