A former sex worker named Josevata Werelagi has had his appeal against a 14-year prison sentence dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Werelagi, also known as “Jossie,” was convicted in late 2019 on multiple charges, including aggravated sexual servitude and domestic trafficking of minors, for his involvement in the exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.
The appeal was reviewed by Justices Chandana Prematilaka, Karen Clark, and Gerald Winter in November of the previous year. According to court records, Werelagi met the victim in July 2015 in Nausori, where she had been living with her mother after leaving school. He was found to have taken the girl to Samabula, where he introduced her to the sex trade and arranged for her to engage in sexual acts with multiple men for payment.
The girl remained with Werelagi for some time until she was rescued by the police on July 23, 2015. During the investigation, it was revealed that he had groomed her and also facilitated her transportation to engage in similar activities on several occasions.
This case highlights the critical issues surrounding the trafficking of minors and the ongoing fight against exploitation in society. The court’s decision to uphold the conviction serves as a warning and reinforces the legal system’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from abuse and exploitation.
As society addresses these serious matters, it is important to focus on prevention and support for victims while ensuring justice for those responsible for these heinous crimes.
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