8% increase in crime against children in September, with 15% domestic-related

Crime against children continues to be a concern for the Fiji Police Force, with Police recording an 8 percent increase in September.

Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci says the overall crime rate increased by 28 percent last month when compared to the same period last year.

He says crimes against children recorded 117 cases where 90 of the victims were girls, and 27 were boys.

A/CP Raikaci says of the recorded cases, 66 percent were sexual offences, 29 percent were assault-related, and 5 percent were linked to other offences.

He says the Western and Central divisions recorded decreases of 47 percent and 29 percent, respectively, while the rest of the divisions recorded increases.

The Acting Commissioner adds that 15 percent were domestic-related, involving parent-child relationships, uncle-niece/nephew and other relatives.

A/CP Raikaci says the increase in the crimes against children was mainly due to the rise in assault-causing actual bodily harm cases from 18 to 26 cases.