Recent presidential pardons granted to men convicted of sexually abusing children have prompted discussion across Vanuatu about justice, accountability and child protection.

For Tristelle Karae, Child Social Welfare Coordinator with the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, the discussion must also consider what children experience as they move through systems designed to protect them.

“What does a child see when they look at the system? Because by the time a case reaches that point, a child has already gone through so much.”

Children who experience abuse may have to disclose what happened, repeat their story to different people, undergo medical examinations, take part in investigations and appear in court.

Karae says every stage can be difficult for a child.

“There was a reason why that person went to prison. Before that happened, there was a child who had to go through the process, there were services involved, there was evidence collected, there was a court process. A lot happened before that final decision.”

The impact on children

Karae says abuse can have lasting emotional, physical and social effects.

She recalls the case of a six-year-old girl in Class One who had been sexually abused. The child’s mother described how her daughter constantly wanted to shower because she did not feel clean, while also seeking reassurance and complaining of physical pain.

“For a young child, safety, happiness and freedom should be what they experience growing up. Instead, she was carrying that trauma every day.”

Karae says sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse and emotional abuse are all seen through Vanuatu’s child protection system.

“All the different types of abuse, we see them in Vanuatu. To say that these things don’t happen here is not true.”

Strengthening child protection

One challenge, she says, is ensuring children receive support quickly, particularly in cases of sexual abuse where medical examinations and evidence collection can be time-sensitive.

“If a child is being told to come back tomorrow or come back another day, then we’ve missed something. It tells us there’s a gap somewhere. These cases need to be prioritised.”

Karae acknowledges the work of police, health workers, teachers, child protection officers, chiefs, church leaders and communities, but says referral pathways and responsibilities can still be unclear.

She believes the proposed Child Protection Bill could help strengthen the system.

“The bill doesn’t take away the responsibility of parents. It doesn’t take away a mother’s or father’s role in caring for their child. It helps us protect children when abuse happens and strengthens the systems around them.”

The proposed legislation aims to strengthen reporting, risk assessment, coordination between agencies and support for children and families.

For Karae, child protection is ultimately about creating an environment where children feel safe and supported.

“When a child feels safe and supported, they become resilient. They’re confident. They perform well at school. They’re able to speak up, make decisions and realise their potential.”

She says protecting children is also about protecting Vanuatu’s future.

“That child could be the next Prime Minister. They could be the next teacher, lawyer or community leader. If we’re not protecting them now, then what future are we creating?”

For Karae, child protection is a shared responsibility across families, communities, services and national institutions.

“Every step matters.”

When a child finds the courage to speak, she says, they need to know the people and systems around them will listen, respond and follow through.