A 19-year-old student from a school in Tailevu has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of sexual crimes against a junior student. The court has set a non-parole period of seven years and ten months for the offender, who is a first-time offender facing two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.
Justice Usaia Ratuvili delivered the judgment in the High Court in Suva. The crimes were committed against a 16-year-old junior student in the school’s dormitory toilet cubicle on November 12, 2022.
In his ruling, Justice Ratuvili emphasized the importance of deterrent sentences to protect children from sexual offenses, particularly within school environments. He underscored that schools should serve as safe spaces for students, especially in boarding institutions where parents entrust their children’s wellbeing to educators and administrators.
Justice Ratuvili pointed out that teachers assume a parental role (“in loco parentis”) and are responsible for ensuring the safety and care of students at all times. He highlighted that the accused violated established school rules by entering a dormitory designated for juniors after hours, which resulted in the commission of these offenses.
The judge concluded that the sentence serves both to deter others from similar behavior and to provide the offender with an opportunity for rehabilitation.