Cheaper and easier access to the internet and to social media platforms has made it easy for perpetrators to groom victims and exploit them sexually.
This is the view of Save the Children Fiji chief executive Shairana Ali in responding to the recent spike in sexual assault allegations against young children.
Last month, police reports indicated that a 12-year-old boy was charged for the rape of his three-year-old cousin after raping an eight-month-old baby the day before in Nadi.
Police also reported recently that two children aged 10 and seven were suspects in a case involving a sexual attack on a three-year-old in Vatukoula.
Ms Ali said the organisation had been working with the Education Ministry over the past two years to deliver online safety messages to educate and empower young adults to recognize the risks in the online world.
Ms Ali also hoped the program would allow children to have the skills to navigate those risks to protect themselves from online bullying and abuse.
“However, children are very vulnerable and their vulnerability puts them at higher risk to abuse.
“It is important to recognise that in most instances, abusers are known to victims and we emphasise that prevention is key and each parent or guardian must always act in the best interest of children.
“If anyone suspects or witnesses’ inappropriate behaviour from someone within their family towards a child, they must report it.”
Ms Ali has also urged Fijians to seriously take concern raised by children and urged adults to seek help to protect vulnerable children.
