Rape statistics shameful - FWRM

Rape statistics shameful - FWRM

By Vijay Narayan
13/07/2023
FWRM Executive Director-Nalini Singh [Photo: Fiji Women's Rights Movement]

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement is again appalled at the statistics of rape and sexual violence released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for the month of June, and asks are we as a nation not ashamed of such statistics.

55 counts of serious sex offences were reported by the Office of the DPP for June.

The FWRM says every month and year, horrifying statistics of rape and sexual violence are published by the Office of the DPP and despite the advocacy for calls to protect and ensure the safety of our women and girls, the data indicates the society’s lax attitudes towards sexual crimes with the continued high rates of rape against this vulnerable group, especially girls.

FWRM's analysis of trends of rape cases and sexual violence cases against women and girls also conclude that in every year from 2016 to 2022, except 2017, more than 50 percent of such cases finalised in the High Court fall under the age of 18 years.

The ages of the youngest victims each year continues to be under 5 years.

FWRM Executive Director, Nalini Singh says this is disturbing and shameful.

Singh asks what are we doing about this, and who is to blame as this tragic situation of sexual crimes, perpetrated by grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins, etc means that we are a long way away from ensuring safe homes and spaces for our young girls. Singh says the gravity of these statistics and the severity of violence in our society is largely ignored and we need to start seeing who the real perpetrators are and what needs to be done to change mindsets and attitudes for the sake of our women and girls.

FWRM also urges people to move away from the common patriarchal perspective that mothers are to blame for "failing to teach their daughters".

Singh says this common misconception apart from re-emphasising gender roles, also serves to remove accountability of perpetrators and shift the responsibility away from others to provide a safe environment for us all.

She says the onus to protect our children and women should not just be on our mothers, or women's rights groups or the formal justice sector agencies but the urgency is on everyone to do their part.

Singh says let us learn to call out behaviour that perpetuates rape and violence, misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, victim blaming, trivialising sexual crimes, tolerating sexual harassment – all these help to create a society that disregards women’s and girls' safety.

She says it is not the time to police women and girls but to ensure that our men and boys know that such acts are totally unacceptable.

FWRM offers Gender Sensitisation training for groups and communities to learn about gender norms and roles, harmful gender stereotypes and biasness that impact women and girls.

FEATURE NEWS
2025/2026 National Budget is for security, stability and the next generation - Tikoduadua
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua has shown his full support to the 2025/2026 National Budget and says that this budget is for security, stability a...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Pillay says it's a candy budget - looks sweet and sounds generous, but once it's spent, nothing is left
This is not a developed budget it is a destructive one that is built not to improve everyday life, but to give with one hand and take back with the ...
4 hours ago

Kiran says more than 107,000 people set to benefit through key social welfare programs
More than 107,000 people are set to benefit from this National Budget through key social welfare programs like the Family Assistance Scheme, Social ...
4 hours ago

Sharma raises concerns over rising debt, youth struggles, and inconsistent economic policies
Opposition MP, Rinesh Sharma has criticized the 2025/2026 National Budget, raising concerns over rising debt levels, youth challenges with tertiary ...
4 hours ago

Taulepa grateful to make his grandfather proud mixing the kava for Tui Nayau installation
Saiasi Taulepa was emotional after the installation of Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as he was chosen from his family to mix the traditional ...
8 hours ago

This Government has borrowed more compared to the Bainimarama government - Kumar
In just two years, this government borrowed almost $2.6 billion, almost as much as what the Banimarama government borrowed over 12 years, and this is ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
9 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
11 days ago

TOP