Fiji News From Around The World

Illustration of Crimes against children increased by 39 per cent

Shocking Surge: Child Crimes Spike 39% in October

Spread the love

In October, crimes against children witnessed a significant rise of 39 percent, with 64 percent of these cases categorized as sexual offences. Additionally, 28 percent were related to assaults, while the remaining eight percent fell into other types of offences. When evaluated in a broader context, the police reported an overall increase in crime rates of six percent compared to the same time last year.

The authorities noted that in 13 percent of cases involving crimes against children, the perpetrators were male family members, impacting 90 girls and 78 boys.

Furthermore, serious crimes rose by 17 percent, with crimes against women showing a slight increase of 0.5 percent. The rise in illicit drug-related cases was marked at 13 percent. Specifically, among crimes against women, 85 percent were assault-related and 15 percent were sexual offences. Domestic-related incidents accounted for 36 percent of these crimes, involving 67 cases driven by partner relationships and 11 by relatives.

Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew expressed concern about the escalating rates of violence within domestic environments. The police department emphasizes its commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to confront the underlying causes of these offences and enhance safety for women and children.

In terms of serious crime, increases were alarming: sexual offences surged by 32 percent and domestic violence against women and children jumped 42 percent in October.

While these statistics paint a troubling picture, they also highlight the urgent need for community awareness and intervention. Proactive measures and collaborations can foster a safer environment for vulnerable groups and work towards reducing these alarming trends.

Through community engagement and focused strategies, there’s hope for a decline in such crimes in the future, emphasizing the importance of collective action against violence.


Comments

Leave a comment

Latest News

Search the website