MATERIALS depicting sexual abuse of children are on the rise, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications Manoa Kamikamica.
Speaking in Parliament on the work being carried out by the National Taskforce to Address Pornography, he emphasised the internationally recognised term was Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM), and not child pornography.
“I request that we adopt this terminology as the term ‘child pornography’ minimises the focus on its long-lasting impact on our children as it focuses on the use of pornographic material.
“This is also a key consideration in our law reform work.”
He said the protection of our children in online spaces was an urgent priority.
“The police have formed an Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Unit, and we are working together to build the necessary capacity and tools.
“Also, through the support of the Australian government, UNICEF has been undertaking a comprehensive mapping study on the efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse materials in Fiji.”
He said throughout the course of the mapping study, the UNICEF team had engaged extensively with stakeholders, many of whom were already members of the Taskforce, to ensure that the findings provide an accurate and comprehensive picture of the efforts.
“The study is being reviewed, and the Taskforce will reconvene to carefully consider its findings and determine the most effective way forward in addressing this deeply concerning issue.”
Mr Kamikamica said a study mission to Australia will be conducted to observe how they were addressing this issue, given their significant legal reforms in these areas.
