Sexual offences a concern

The Fiji Police Force is concerned at the number of Sexual Offences cases recorded within the first two weeks of 2023 where the majority of the victims are children.

From the 1st to the 15th of January, 13 cases of sexual offences have been recorded and these include, rape (4), indecent assault (4), sexual assault (3), abduction of person under 18-years of age with intent to have carnal knowledge (1) and defilement of young person between 13 and 16-years of age (1).

Ten (10) of the victims were below the age of 17-years, two (2) victims were women aged between 25 to 31 years and one (1)in her mid 50s.

Even more concerning are the offences being committed by relatives, which include, cousins, uncles and a case where a woman was allegedly raped on five separate occasions by her 30-year old brother in law.

Majority of the cases were reported in the Northern Division (9) with the Southern and Western Division recording 2 cases each.

Crimes against women and children remain a major concern the Fiji Police Force reiterates the need for more support towards curbing these crimes against women and children.

These are moral crimes that need to be addressed through holistic efforts and through the Divisional Police Commanders and Divisional Managers Community Policing, our doors are open to working together towards finding solutions to these crimes for the sake of protecting women and children in our society.