Eighteen people were charged with a total of 36 counts of sexual-related offences in January this year alone.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) released the data this morning that relates to the number of formal indictments filed in the High Courts of Fiji by the DPP throughout the month.

Rape accounted for the highest number of offending – 25, followed by sexual assault – 5, indecent assault – 3, and one each of attempted rape, abduction with intent to commit rape, and defilement.

According to the DPP, there were 13 victims, 10 of whom were under 18 years old.

Of the 18 charged, one was a juvenile, and five incidents where the victim and accused were related.

Three cases were withdrawn after discontinuances were filed when victims could not be located or contacted, and insufficient evidence.