Thirteen cases of sexual offences were recorded by Fiji Police in the first 15 days of this year, with majority of the victims were children.
Police also indicated that majority cases were reported in the Northern Division.
Nine cases were reported in the Northern Division and two cases each were recorded in the Southern and Western divisions.
According to police statistics, the 13 cases comprised:
- four indecent assault
- three sexual assault
- one case of abduction of person under 18 years of age with intent to have carnal knowledge, and
- one case of defilement of young person between 13 and 16 years of age.
“Ten of the victims were below the age of 17 years, two victims were women aged between 25 to 31 years and one in her mid-50s,” police said.
“Even more concerning are the offences being committed by relatives, which include cousins, uncles and a case where a woman was allegedly raped on five separate occasions by her 30-year-old brother in law.
“Crimes against women and children remain a major concern and the Fiji Police Force reiterates the need for more support towards curbing these crimes against women and children.
“These are moral crimes that need to be addressed through holistic efforts and through the Divisional Police Commanders and Divisional Managers Community Policing, our doors are open to working together towards finding solutions to these crimes for the sake of protecting women and children in our society.”
