More than 3,600 incidents of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were reported from Fiji in 2023, as disclosed by Communications Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica during a parliamentary session. This information was shared in reference to the operations of the National Taskforce to Address Pornography.
Minister Kamikamica stated that these reports were submitted to the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). He explained that the Cyber Tipline of NCMEC functions as a national clearinghouse for leads on crimes pertaining to child sexual exploitation. Electronic service providers in the U.S. are legally required to report suspected instances of CSAM, including grooming and explicit content sent to minors using their platforms.
He noted that over 99 percent of these Cyber Tips are generated by major electronic service providers such as Meta, Google, and TikTok, with a smaller proportion coming from public reports. In total, 3,638 suspected cases of Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) were recorded by NCMEC from Fiji in 2023.
The Minister emphasized that the formation of this National Taskforce signifies the Coalition Government’s serious commitment to taking action. He described it as a practical measure aimed at enhancing community safety and protecting vulnerable individuals.
He also announced that the Taskforce would prioritize efforts to combat what is now referred to as online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). Furthermore, he urged parents and guardians to be more cautious and vigilant regarding the sharing of images and videos of children online, highlighting the potential dangers such content poses when it falls into the wrong hands.
Minister Kamikamica called for collective action to ensure the safety of children both physically and digitally.