Rape cases increased last year by 5.2%, assault to intent to rape increased by 300%, sexual assaults by 116.7%, while abduction of persons at the age of 18 with intent to have carnal knowledge increased by 100%.
This was highlighted by Minister for Defence and National Security Ratu Inoke Kubuabola while delivering his ministerial speech on sexual offences in Parliament.
Out of the 1,226 criminal cases recorded last year on child victims, 632 were sexual offences against children which is 51.5%.
Kubuabola says that sex crimes against any individual should be everyone’s concern.
He says that children are not safe even in their own homes.
The Minister says that the Fiji Police Force and other stakeholders are conducting educational awareness in schools and communities to stop sexual offences.
National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says that he believes that harsher penalties should be given to offenders.
Prasad says that there is a need to have more traditional approaches to address these issues.
Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu stresses that people should be made aware of gender equality since these types of offences are mostly committed against women and children.
Bulitavo says there should be proper management of cases to ensure that statements are not missing.
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