Training conducted by the iTaukei Ministry in various villages around the country has revealed inappropriate intimate relationships between close family members in iTaukei communities.

This was made known to villagers of Sinuvaca, Koro where the ministry conducted its first leadership and management training for the vanua in the Lomaiviti Group.

Senior iTaukei officer Niumaia Gucake said this was an unacceptable behaviour which had happened because of the loss of iTaukei values, in particular respect for each other.

Mr Gucake revealed first cousins had sexual relationships and there were fathers and grandfathers who took advantage of their children even to the extent of impregnating them.

He told villagers in Sinuvaca there needed to be changes and iTaukei values and beliefs needed to be reinforced in order to avoid this from happening.

“Due to the loss of values, iTaukei are now crowding the prisons, there are unwanted pregnancies and iTauike are becoming poor in their own land,” Mr Gucake said.

Yesterday was the second day of training and a combined church service for all denominations will be held today before the training ends on Wednesday.

Youths and village elders have been part of this training.