Myth 12: The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) gives children rights which lead to increased drug and alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, disrespectful behaviour, violence and suicide. Reality: There are no rights within the CRC which permit children to engage in any of these activities, nor remove the right of the parent to raise their child as they wish. Rather, it is violence towards children which contributes to these types of behaviours. The CRC prohibits all forms of violence towards children in order to prevent this, thereby better protecting the dignity and integrity of the child and protecting the rights of the parents. It is also a framework which can support the Fa’asamoa as the Inquiry found in the case of Tavita.8 Samoa was actually involved in the development of the CRC and a leader in signing it before any of the other Pacific countries, as it was recognized at the time as embodying the principles of the Fa’asamoa and the Constitution. Used effectively it can strengthen the Fa’asamoa and application of religious values. It is the violence itself, which is leading to the behaviours that are so lamented. Elsewhere on the spectrum, a violent upbringing for a child increases the risk of:9        Alcohol and drugs abuse; Unsafe sexual practices, multiple sexual partners and unwanted pregnancies; Sexual Transmitted Diseases, HIV and Aids; Physical inactivity and diabetes; Depression, anxiety and nightmares; Increased aggression and anger management issues; Dropping out of school, inability to obtain and keep a job. “Children are a reflection of their parents. If the children are rude and answer back then obviously the parents are just the same.” Seumanutafa So, Matai participant, Inquiry public hearings “Violence in the family all relates back to how parents raise their children. Parents are the first teachers for children. If a child is not good or disrespectful the parents are not doing their job.” Masoe Selota, Matai participant, Inquiry public hearings 8 Case Study 1. John Devaney. (2015). “Research Review: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children.” Irish Probation Journal, 12. p. 82. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/506f/db2353976001352213a72baf3c48aaa743c0.pdf . Accessed 30 May 2018. 9