A married Sunday school teacher has been sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting his niece over a span of eight years. The High Court in Suva revealed that the abuse began when the victim was still in kindergarten, highlighting a profound breach of trust and authority by the offender.
The case detailed disturbing incidents, including one in 2015 where the 50-year-old defendant lay beside his niece while she was sleeping and assaulted her. As the victim began attending primary school, the abuser would exploit his time cooking for village students staying at the school dormitory to further his offenses. One notable incident occurred in July 2023 when he assaulted her while her aunt was preoccupied with running a store.
In her ruling, Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo-Bull emphasized the grave nature of the defendant’s actions, stating, “Your offending was in gross breach of trust and an abuse of the authority you wielded over her.” The judge delineated the significant age difference of approximately 35 years between the perpetrator and child, further stressing the gravity of the offenses.
In addition to the prison sentence, a fixed non-parole period of ten years and seven months was established, alongside a permanent Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect the victim from further harm.
This case is part of a troubling trend of similar offenses in Fiji, where familial relationships have been abused to perpetrate sexual violence against minors. Other recent high-profile cases have seen similar sentences and have prompted calls for strong judicial responses to deter such crimes, while reinforcing the importance of safeguarding children in our communities.
The judiciary’s firm stance reflects a growing awareness and recognition of the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse and the necessity for stringent penalties. These actions aim not only to ensure justice for victims but also to cultivate safer environments for vulnerable individuals across society, fostering a community where children can live free from fear.
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