Alarming rape stats
66pc of victims in 2023 were young girls – FWRM analysis
YOUNG girls made up 66 per cent of rape victims whose cases reached the Fiji High Courts in 2023.
This was highlighted in an analysis by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement of rape and sexual offence cases called before the High Court.
The analysis revealed that over the last seven years, girls under the age of 18 continued to be the overwhelming majority of victims and survivors of rape.
Key findings of the 2023 analysis include – 61 per cent or 58 of the 96 rape cases decided in the High Court, the victim was a relative or was in a domestic relationship with the accused. Out of these 58 cases, only 23 were issued with a domestic violence restraining order.
FWRM executive director Nalini Singh said these figures confirmed that rape in Fiji was perpetuated by family, friends and workmates.
“People who we see and interact with on a regular basis are the ones who are harming our women and girls.
“Immediate action is needed to stop rape now.”
Other significant findings showed that the average sentence meted out for a rape perpetrator was more than 10 years with the accused average age at 38.
“Sixty-six per cent of the victims and survivors were under the age of 18 years old.
“The youngest victim was two years old at the time of offending.
“More than 60 per cent of perpetrators were in a domestic relationship with the victim and survivor.
“Only six per cent of perpetrators were not related or previously known to the victim and survivor.”
Ms Singh said this was ‘shocking and totally unacceptable’.
“The girl child continues to face gender-based violence in the form of rape even today in this modern day and age with so much awareness on violence against women and girls.
“Why is rape still happening in Fiji? “Why have we not been able to abolish this heinous crime in our societies, in our workplaces and gatherings?”