The Fiji Police Force is worried with the increase in number of sexual offences in the first two weeks of 2023, where majority of the victims are children.
According to the statistics released by Police, from 01 January to 15, 13 cases of sexual offences were recorded and these include, rape (4), indecent assault (4), sexual assault (3), abduction of person under 18-years of age with intent to have carnal knowledge (1) and defilement of young person between 13 and 16-years of age (1).
Ten of the victims were below the age of 17-years, two victims were women aged between 25 and 31 years and one in her mid-50s.
What is even more concerning is that 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.
Nine reports were received in the North, while the Southern and Western Division recorded two cases each.
Crimes against women and children remain a major concern 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.
