A united stand to fight violence against children

In front of thousands who were present at the 2019 Fest Napuan music festival in September and watching or listening throughout Vanuatu and around the world, Claire Rogers, World Vision Australia’s CEO and Luke Ebbs, the Save The Children Vanuatu country director, launched the ‘Unseen and Unsafe: underinvestment in Ending Violence Against Children in the Pacific and Timor-Leste’ report.

The comprehensive report produced by Plan International Australia, Save The Children and World Vision reveals shocking levels of physical, emotional and sexual violence as well as neglect faced by many children living in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

After describing two scenarios to stress on the importance of a collaborative effort by every member in society, Claire Rogers went on to say, “…It takes a home to raise a child and it takes a community to protect the child.”

World Vision's platinum sponsorship of the festival this year aimed to highlight the issue of sexual consent in relationships in Vanuatu.  The joint agency report included some disturbing facts such as 1 in 10 adolescent girls experience sexual violence in the Pacific & Timor-Leste. 

Art shows, video clips, controlled messaging on stage and a huge social media and traditional campaign were also carried out leading up to and during the music festival to educate the audience on creating safer and healthier relationships for children and families.

A highlight of this year’s festival was Vanuatu’s first ever public slam competition, which focused on the theme of sexual consent in relationships. World Vision Australia CEO Claire Rogers was so impressed with the winning performance that she implored the crowd to vote for Vanessa, the winner of the competition, to be a member of parliament in the future.