In the first half of 2024, Fiji reported 324 cases of child sexual abuse, according to Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran, who addressed Parliament on Friday. She noted that this equates to an alarming monthly average of 54 incidents, with rape being the most common offense against children.
Kiran expressed deep concern over the trauma faced by each victim, emphasizing that even a single case is too many. She called for national shame and reflection on these troubling statistics, which highlight a significant issue within society and raise questions about how it will be tackled moving forward.
The data presented by Kiran, sourced from the Fiji Police Force for the years 2021 to mid-2024, shows a dramatic rise and fall in cases. The numbers began with 729 cases in 2021, spiked to 1,034 in 2022, and then decreased to 844 in 2023.
In a related context, a United Nations expert has urged for a stronger focus on children’s rights in the realms of internet development and digital product regulation. Mama Fatima Singhateh pointed out that there is a growing risk of online child sexual abuse through various digital platforms, including grooming and material exploitation.
On a more local level, Kiran shared data from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, revealing that the average age of child sexual abuse victims over the last six years is just two years old, with the youngest victim being only six months old. Meanwhile, the average age of the youngest perpetrators is reported to be 12 years old. Alarmingly, three out of five rape cases involved children, and there were 23 births per 1,000 females under the age of 18.
These statistics underscore a pressing societal issue that requires immediate attention. Kiran urged the need for proactive measures to confront this reality, recognizing that while the situation may be uncomfortable to discuss, it is imperative for the community to address it urgently.