A 44-year-old subsistence farmer has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the sexual assault and rape of his teenage daughter. The case was heard in the High Court in Suva, where it was disclosed that the victim, the accused’s eldest daughter, lived with him, her mother, and five siblings.
The abuse began in December 2017 when the victim was around 15 years old and was home alone with her father. In early 2018, when she was about 16, her father attempted to molest her while she was sleeping, prompting her to kick him away.
After one instance of sexual assault, the victim’s mother asked her if anything had occurred. When the daughter disclosed the abuse, her mother was devastated and confronted the accused. The accused’s mother was also informed and spoke with the victim’s mother. He apologized for his actions and promised to stop, though the assaults resumed later in 2020.
The victim endured repeated sexual assaults, including instances of digital rape, until 2020. A medical examination on February 13, 2021, indicated that the victim’s hymen was no longer intact, with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.
Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu condemned the accused’s actions, describing them as “an incestuous and heinous rape and blatant betrayal of trust.” He emphasized that this abuse took place within the family home, where children should be safe and nurtured. The judge noted that despite the accused’s apologies, he continued to sexually abuse his daughter, demonstrating a lack of genuine remorse.