In the first half of 2024, there were 324 reported cases of child sexual abuse in Fiji, according to Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, who addressed Parliament on Friday. This averages to 54 cases per month, with rape being the most frequently reported offense against children.
Kiran emphasized that every child who endures abuse represents a significant tragedy. She called for deep reflection and acknowledgment of the alarming statistics, underscoring the urgent need for the nation to confront this serious issue and strategize on effective solutions.
The data presented by Ms. Kiran was sourced from reports by the Fiji Police Force, covering the years 2021 through 2024. She noted that in 2021, there were 729 recorded cases, which rose to 1,034 in 2022, before declining to 844 cases in 2023.
Additionally, Mama Fatima Singhateh, a United Nations expert, highlighted the pressing need to prioritize children’s rights in the context of evolving internet regulations. Her review indicated a significant increase in online child sexual abuse and exploitation, emphasizing risks such as grooming, solicitation, online harassment, and the misuse of technology in these crimes.
On a local level, Kiran reported that the average age of child sexual abuse victims over the past six years was just two years old, with the youngest victim being six months old. Disturbingly, the average age of the youngest perpetrators of these crimes was found to be 12 years old. Furthermore, three out of five reported rapes involved children, and 23 births occurred per 1,000 females under the age of 18.
Kiran urged the nation to address this critical issue with immediacy, acknowledging the uncomfortable nature of these facts while highlighting the necessity for proactive measures and solutions to combat such complexities.