VANGO Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Shirley Abraham, has expressed deep concern over the continued postponement of the Bill and questioned the Minister’s ability to bring this important legislation before Parliament.

“The continued delay of the Child Protection Bill is unacceptable when we know that children in Vanuatu continue to experience high levels of abuse and neglect. Every delay means another missed opportunity to strengthen our child protection system and safeguard our children.”

Mrs Abraham also rejected comments suggesting that the Bill would remove parental responsibility of disciplining a child.

“The suggestion that the Child Protection Bill removes parental responsibility to discipline is an ignorant and baseless statement. The Bill does not take away the role of parents to discipline. Rather, it strengthens the systems that support families, protects children from harm, and ensures that government agencies, communities and service providers can respond effectively when children are at risk.”

She said the legislation is designed to provide a national framework for the prevention, identification, reporting, coordination and response to child abuse, neglect and exploitation while reinforcing the shared responsibility of families, communities, traditional structures, churches and government to protect children. The evidence demands urgent action.

The latest evidence report paints a disturbing picture of violence and abuse against children in Vanuatu:

• One in three girls experience sexual abuse before the age of 15.
• Eight in ten children (83.5%) experience violent discipline.
• Three in ten children (35.7%) experience severe physical punishment.
• Between 2023 and 2025, 173 sexual violence cases were reviewed by the courts.
• 72% (125 cases) involved children under the age of 18.
• 94% of child victims were girls, while 6% were boys.
• The average age of victims is just 11.9 years.
• In 64% of cases, the offender was someone known to the child, most commonly a family member, with 85% of children knowing the perpetrator.
• More than half of reported abuse (50.6%) occurred in the child’s own home.
• Child protection concerns extend beyond sexual violence, with 21% of women aged 20–24 married before age 18, and 29% of children aged 5–17 engaged in child labour.

Mrs Abraham said these figures demonstrate that abuses against children are not isolated but widespread and occurring within homes and communities where children should feel safest.

“These statistics should force the Parliament to act immediately. Behind every number is a child whose life has been affected by abuse, neglect or violence. We cannot continue delaying legislation that has the potential to strengthen prevention, improve coordination and deliver better outcomes for vulnerable children.”

VANGO is urging the Minister of Justice, Community Services and Youth to prioritise the Child Protection Bill during the next sitting of Parliament and allow elected Members of Parliament to debate and pass the legislation without further delay.

“The safety of our children must never become a political issue or be delayed because of misinformation,” Mrs Abraham said.

“Parliament now has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the children of Vanuatu. We owe it to every child to ensure they are protected by laws that reflect the realities they face today.”

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST