The Anti-Pornography Taskforce, formed by the Cabinet in February, is set to meet early next month to discuss the possibility of restricting access to pornography websites throughout the country. This initiative comes after alarming data from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed a significant increase in sexual assaults involving minors.
Lynda Tabuya, the Co-chairperson of the taskforce and Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, expressed deep concern regarding the rising rates of sexual offenses, particularly those committed against minors by family members. She emphasized the urgent need to confront these issues, especially as internet access has expanded due to advancing technology.
“With the internet reaching even the most isolated regions, it’s crucial that we promote responsible usage to safeguard Fiji’s children from its detrimental effects,” Ms. Tabuya stated.
Recent figures from the ODPP indicate that among the 16 individuals charged with a total of 63 sexual offenses last month, 12 were minors. Disturbingly, some incidents involved victims who were related to their assailants, such as a 15-year-old accused of raping a 12-year-old cousin and a 65-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting his six-year-old granddaughter.
Ms. Tabuya noted that 90 percent of sexual abuse perpetrators are family members, underscoring the need for government action to address these grave issues. She criticized the uncontrolled access to pornography and its role in fostering family dysfunction and abuse.
“It is the government’s duty to create laws and policies aimed at addressing this issue and protecting our children,” the minister asserted.
The upcoming taskforce will involve representatives from various government ministries, the Cybercrime Unit, the Fiji Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Online Safety Commission, as well as experts in human sexuality and mental health. Participation from opposition members and community leaders is also expected.
Corporal Unaisi Mateiwai from the Fiji Police Force Sexual Offense and Child Abuse Unit revealed that some cases of sexual assault among children are linked to unsupervised access to explicit content on mobile devices.
“One incident involved a five-year-old boy who sexually assaulted a three-year-old sibling after accessing explicit videos on his grandmother’s phone,” Ms. Mateiwai reported.
This alarming situation highlights the necessity for increased parental vigilance and responsible internet usage. The taskforce’s objectives aim to tackle these critical concerns and develop effective strategies to protect the youth of Fiji.