The Anti-Pornography Taskforce, formed by the Cabinet in February, is set to meet early next month to consider the possibility of blocking access to pornography websites across the country. This initiative follows concerning statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which reported a worrying increase in sexual assaults involving minors.
Lynda Tabuya, co-chairperson of the taskforce and Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, voiced serious concerns about the rise of sexual offenses, especially those in which minors are allegedly assaulted by family members. She emphasized the urgent need to tackle these issues, particularly in light of increased internet accessibility through modern technology.
“With the internet reaching even the most remote areas, it’s essential to ensure that it is used responsibly to protect Fiji’s children from its harmful effects,” she remarked.
Recent data from the ODPP indicated that out of 16 individuals charged last month with a total of 63 counts of sexual offenses, 12 were minors. The alarming statistics include incidents where victims were related to their attackers, such as a 15-year-old accused of raping his 12-year-old cousin and a 65-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting his six-year-old granddaughter.
Ms. Tabuya also highlighted that 90 percent of sexual abuse perpetrators are family members, underscoring the need for government intervention to address these challenges. She criticized the accessibility of pornography and its role in family dysfunction and abuse.
“It is the government’s duty to create laws and policies that fight this issue and protect our children,” the minister stated.
The upcoming taskforce will include representatives from various government ministries, the Cybercrime Unit, the Fiji Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Online Safety Commission, and experts in human sexuality and mental health. Opposition members and community leaders are also expected to take part in this initiative.
Corporal Unaisi Mateiwai from the Fiji Police Force Sexual Offense and Child Abuse Unit revealed that some instances of sexual assault among children were associated with unsupervised access to explicit content on mobile devices. “One case involved a five-year-old boy who sexually assaulted a three-year-old sibling after being given access to explicit videos on a grandmother’s phone,” she noted.
This crisis emphasizes the need for increased parental vigilance and responsible internet use. The taskforce aims to tackle these urgent matters and formulate effective strategies to protect Fiji’s children.