“When I heard about child rights and the different forms of abuse, it brought me to tears. In that moment, it became my passion.”
For Sonia Nentu, that moment changed everything.
Today, a Child Protection Officer (CPO) and mother of four from Erromango, Sonia works on the frontlines to protect children – but her journey began far from government offices, in a Year-2 classroom and through activities at her local church.
Starting her career as a teacher, Sonia quickly began to notice the quiet differences shaping her students’ lives. Some children lived with both parents, others with one, and some with grandparents or extended family. Over time, she came to understand a difficult truth: while every child is born with potential, not every child is born with the same protections.
It wasn’t until she joined a pilot project while pregnant with her first child that her understanding deepened. “I hadn’t realised that children have different stages of learning and development,” she reflects. The training challenged her worldview entirely. “I felt empowered to stand up for children.”
From that point on, Sonia knew she had to act.
She began in her own community, leading by example. Through the Community Facilitation Package, she worked closely with young parents, mentoring fathers to become positive role models. By 2020, her path led her to Tanna, where she stepped into her role as a government-employed CPO.
There, the reality of the work became stark.
One case of a girl who had endured years of abuse at the hands of her father remains etched in her memory. “I remember seeing her at the hospital. She was such a talkative child, but I could tell she had been through so much,” Sonia says. In a child-friendly space, the girl described abuse that had begun when she was just three years old.
“As an officer and a mother, I felt scared. I realised that while I was protecting her, there was very little protecting me.”
That vulnerability is a common thread for those on the frontlines. Sonia recalls a particularly “rough day” when an angry male relative stormed into her office, shouting and punching the table to intimidate her. Though she was able to de-escalate the situation, the experience reinforced the urgent need for a formal legal framework.
“We need the Child Protection Bill in place to give us confidence and safety,” she explains. “It’s not just about a manual; it’s about a framework that allows us to coordinate across sectors, which include the police, health, and the courts, to ensure children’s needs are prioritised. Adults can fight for themselves, but children need people like me to fight for them.”
For Sonia, the Bill represents more than safety – it strengthens a system already beginning to show results. In 2025, she successfully applied for a protection order that was granted the very next day, a milestone that reflects growing progress.
Her days begin early, balancing the demands of her household and caring for her four independent children before stepping into the emotional weight of her work. She credits her resilient family and supportive colleagues for keeping her grounded.
When asked what she would change, her answer is immediate: a seamless referral system where every service provider – from the village to the capital – knows exactly how to support a child until they are safe.
Still, it is hope that drives her forward.
“The Child Protection Bill gives me hope,” Sonia says. “It recognises that everyone, parents, caregivers, and the government has a responsibility. My message to those who want to support us is simple: pass the Bill. Let our work be recognised so we can build a future where every child is safe.”
