The number of children experiencing sexual abuse by trusted individuals continues to rise, according to recent statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). This unsettling trend highlights the prevalence of abuse within close family environments.
Assistant Minister for Women Sashi Kiran has expressed her concern regarding the increasing instances of child abuse in Fiji, stressing that these statistics should prompt a national reflection on the issue.
In August, the ODPP reported that 26 individuals faced over 70 sexual offense-related charges. Among those accused, there was one juvenile, and the victims numbered 24, with 15 of them under the age of 18. The victim demographic included two male and 22 female individuals.
Many of the reported cases involved relatives preying on minors within their own families. These cases included a 76-year-old man charged with the rape of his eight-year-old granddaughter, and a 56-year-old man facing three counts of rape involving his 16-year-old granddaughter.
Further, a 72-year-old man was charged with two counts of rape of his 17-year-old stepdaughter, although proceedings were discontinued following his death. A 40-year-old man was also charged with nine counts of rape against his eight-year-old daughter, while another 35-year-old man faced charges related to his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
Additionally, a 56-year-old man was charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of his 13-year-old niece, and a 21-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 25-year-old niece. A 40-year-old man was also implicated with multiple charges involving his 17-year-old niece.
The ODPP noted that eight cases were dropped after nolle prosequi filings due to a lack of sufficient and consistent evidence.