Sexual harassment allegations have arisen from the recent Miss Hibiscus Festival 2024, where a contestant reported feeling uncomfortable during a public event in Suva. Reports of groping have surfaced, compounding concerns that began weeks earlier when police initiated investigations into sexual assault claims associated with Miss Universe Fiji 2024.
The festival committee has minimized the incident, describing it as a mere “jab” to a contestant’s back. However, accounts indicate that the alleged perpetrator was intoxicated and was subsequently removed from the venue.
The contestant at the center of the allegations shared that she felt shaken and embarrassed but opted not to file a police report, fearing she might be viewed as having “sour grapes” since the incident took place on crowning night. Another individual reported that the assailant touched her inappropriately, stating, “A man I didn’t know touched me from behind, which made me feel uncomfortable. He was drunk and took advantage of me that night.”
Following the incident, the contestant requested her patrons to leave the VIP tent due to feeling unsafe, packed her belongings, and left the hotel to return home that same night. Sera Tikotikoivatu-Sefeti, the 2010 Miss Hibiscus Queen, condemned the harassment, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable.
Committee chairperson Opetaia Ravai confirmed he was made aware of the incident, although he did not witness it. He remarked, “I was told the suspect jabbed the contestant’s back, and there was no indication it was sexual in nature.” He later escorted the suspect from the event. Text messages obtained by Fiji Sun revealed that the suspect had apologized to the contestant involved.