ABOUT 73 per cent of sexual abuse cases involve perpetrators who are known to the child (victim).
Speaking at the opening of the Symposium on Child Sexual Abuse in Fiji last Friday, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran said, “this paints a very grim picture that the threat to our children’s safety often exists in the very spaces where they should feel the safest, in their homes, in the care of trusted people around them and in the presence of those who are meant to protect them”.
“In most cases trusted adults who should be protecting children are making them their prey.
These include family members, guardians, neighbours, and individuals in positions of trust.
“Most sexual crimes are committed by family members, guardians, or individuals known to victims.”
Cases highlighted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in recent months include fathers, grandfathers, and uncles charged with rape, incest, and indecent assault.
Among the examples presented were a 45-year-old father charged with rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault of his five-year-old daughter.
In another incident, a 48-year-old man faced charges of incest and sexual assault involving his 18-year-old daughter.
Other cases included a 74-year-old man charged with sexual assault and indecent assault of his five-year-old granddaughter.
Ms Kiran said the prevalence of abuse within the family environment points a need for stronger monitoring, early detection, and safe reporting channels for children.
