The Social Welfare deaprtament in Labasa has received a lot of cases of young girls and boys practicing prostitution by the roadside in Labasa Town.

This was revealed by Labasa Social Welfare Officer Veremo Muriya at the Labasa District meeting at Naseakula Village.

Muriya says the Ministry is deeply concerned that this is happening.

He has urged village heads to speak to parents during village meetings, to always be fully aware of the whereabouts and activities of their children as most of the villages in the District are close to Town.

Muriya particularly singled out the use of mobile phones as a cause of many sexual crimes happening against children nowadays.

He says most parents are buying mobile phones for their children, what the children are doing with the phones is oblivious to the parents.

Muriya mentioned at the meeting that parental guidance and supervision is of utmost importance.