The Anti-Pornography Taskforce, formed by the Cabinet in February, is set to meet early next month to discuss a potential nationwide ban on pornography websites. This initiative comes in light of alarming data released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which indicates a troubling increase in sexual assaults involving minors.
Lynda Tabuya, co-chairperson of the taskforce and Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, voiced serious concerns regarding the frequency of sexual offenses, especially those where minors are allegedly harmed by family members. She emphasized the urgent necessity to tackle this issue, considering the growing accessibility of the internet through various technologies.
“As the internet reaches even the most isolated areas, it is critical that we promote responsible usage to shield Fiji’s children from its detrimental effects,” Tabuya stated.
Recent statistics from the ODPP showed that of 16 individuals charged last month with a combined 63 counts of sexual offenses, 12 of these cases involved minors. Disturbingly, several of these incidents included family members as perpetrators, including a 15-year-old charged with raping a 12-year-old cousin, and a 65-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting his six-year-old granddaughter.
Tabuya also highlighted that 90 percent of sexual abuse perpetrators are family members, underscoring the urgent need for government action to confront these challenges. She criticized the unrestricted access to pornography and its role in contributing to family dysfunction and abuse.
“It is the government’s duty to formulate laws and policies to combat this issue and protect our children,” the minister emphasized.
The upcoming taskforce will include representatives from various government ministries, the Cybercrime Unit, the Fiji Police Force, the ODPP, the Online Safety Commission, and experts in human sexuality and mental health. Participation from opposition members and community leaders is also anticipated.
Corporal Unaisi Mateiwai from the Fiji Police Force Sexual Offense and Child Abuse Unit noted that some cases of sexual assault among children have been linked to unsupervised access to explicit content on mobile devices. One notable case involved a five-year-old boy who assaulted his three-year-old sibling after being exposed to explicit videos on a grandmother’s phone.
This situation highlights the pressing need for increased parental oversight and responsible internet habits. The taskforce’s efforts will focus on addressing these significant issues and devising effective strategies to protect Fiji’s children.