There is an increasing push for tougher penalties in the upcoming Child Care and Protection Bill. The legislation proposes three new offences: the possession of child pornographic material, sexual communication with a child, and child luring.
Advocates claim that the current penalties for these offences do not adequately reflect their severity. Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights, has stated that there is a call for stricter consequences to enhance child protection and deter potential offenders.
“We have penalties that are generally no more than two years, with some being under five years,” he noted. He expressed support for suggestions that would impose minimum prison sentences of over ten years for such offenders. “People are advocating for penalties to be raised to at least 10 years as a necessary step for the protection and care of our children,” he added.
In cases of possessing child pornographic material, an individual committing this indictable offence could face up to five years in prison. For sexual communication with a child, particularly a minor under the age of 16, the penalty could result in a two-year imprisonment. Luring a child, involving providing a child with an object to facilitate sexual activity, is also regarded as a serious crime.
In agreement with the need for stricter measures, former nurse Mereseini Nainima stated that harsher penalties could prevent such crimes. “If we are too lenient, the offences will continue,” she warned, urging the Government to implement more severe penalties if they are genuinely committed to addressing these issues.