In 2023, over 3,600 instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have been reported from Fiji. This update was shared in Parliament by the Minister for Communications and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica while discussing the National Taskforce aimed at addressing pornography.
These reports were forwarded to the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Kamikamica explained that the Cyber Tipline operated by NCMEC acts as a national resource for leads related to child sexual exploitation. U.S.-based electronic service providers are legally required to report any suspected CSAM, grooming behavior, or explicit content involving minors on their platforms.
He noted, “In total, NCMEC received 3,638 suspected child sexual exploitation material reports from Fiji in 2023.” The reports are typically sent by large platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok, with additional submissions coming from the public.
The formation of the National Taskforce, according to Kamikamica, signifies the Coalition Government’s commitment to action against such issues. He emphasized the importance of this initiative as a concrete measure aimed at protecting vulnerable members of the community and stressed that the Taskforce’s primary focus will be on combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Kamikamica also urged parents, guardians, and communities to exercise caution regarding the online sharing of children’s images and videos. He stated, “It is crucial to refrain from posting pictures or videos of children without proper clothing, as once these materials are online, they can be misused by offenders in ways that are difficult to imagine.”
He called for collective efforts to protect children both offline and in the digital realm.