New data released during the national symposium on child sexual abuse in Fiji revealed that child sexual abuse remains the most pervasive crime committed against children in Fiji, with 4159 cases recorded between 2020 and 2024.
The data, compiled by the Fiji Police Force, shows that sexual offences have consistently been the largest category of crimes involving child victims over the last five years.
According to the analysis, girls continue to be disproportionately affected, making up more than 70 per cent of all child victims annually.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran say the trend highlights a persistent pattern of gendered violence that requires urgent, coordinated intervention.
“Across all crimes, girls consistently make up over 70 per cent of child victims, and sexual offences account for the bulk of their victimisation,” Ms Kiran said.
She also noted that children aged 13 to 17 remain the most at-risk group. This age bracket alone accounts for more than 60 per cent of total annual cases, with vulnerabilities increasing during adolescence due to grooming and exploitation.
“Vulnerability intensifies during the transition into puberty, often intersecting with exploitation, grooming, and intimate partner violence involving older perpetrators. Tragically 5 per cent of all data represent infants.”
“iTaukei children account for vast majority of sexual abuse victims, with more than 1000 cases annually since 2022, and Fijian children of Indian descent represent the second-largest group.”
The figures form part of an ongoing review of national child protection systems, which government agencies say must now shift from reactive responses to more strategic prevention measures.
