Sexual harassment claims have emerged from the Miss Hibiscus Festival 2024, following a contestant’s report of feeling “uncomfortable” during a public event in Suva.
Concerns were further amplified by prior allegations of groping, coinciding with police investigations into sexual assault claims associated with Miss Universe Fiji 2024. The Hibiscus Festival committee attempted to minimize the incident, describing it as merely a “jab” to the contestant’s back. However, it has been reported that the alleged assailant was intoxicated and was subsequently removed from the venue.
The contestant at the center of the allegations expressed that the experience left her shaken and embarrassed, ultimately deciding against filing a police report due to fears of being viewed as seeking attention, especially since the incident occurred on the crowning night. Another individual has alleged inappropriate contact by the same person, 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, she felt unsafe and asked her guests to leave the VIP tent, gathered her belongings, and left her hotel that same night to return home. Sera Tikotikoivatu-Sefeti, the 2010 Miss Hibiscus Queen, condemned the harassment, declaring such behavior to be unacceptable.
The committee chairperson, Opetaia Ravai, acknowledged being informed of the incident though he did not witness it firsthand. He stated, “I was told the suspect jabbed the contestant’s back, and there was no indication it was sexual in nature.” Mr. Ravai later took steps to escort the suspect off the premises.
Text messages obtained indicate that the suspect had reached out to apologize to the contestant involved.