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 revealed that the victim is the accused’s eldest daughter, living with him, her mother, and five siblings.
The abusive behavior began in December 2017 when the victim was approximately 15 years old and alone at home with her father. By early 2018, when she was about 16, she was awakened by her father’s intimate touching, prompting her to push him away.
Following one incident of sexual assault, the victim’s mother inquired if anything had happened, leading the victim to disclose the truth. The mother reacted emotionally and confronted the accused, which led to discussions with his mother. The accused apologized and promised to cease his abusive behavior, but the assaults resumed in 2020.
The sexual assaults persisted on multiple occasions, with the victim experiencing digital rape as well. A medical examination on February 13, 2021, revealed that the victim’s hymen was not intact, suggesting trauma consistent with blunt force.
Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu condemned the father’s actions as an “incestuous and heinous rape,” emphasizing the deep betrayal of trust. He highlighted that such abuse occurred in the victim’s home, a place where she should have felt safe and protected. Justice Bulamainaivalu noted that despite apologies from the accused, his continued abuse showed a lack of genuine remorse.