DPP Sexual Offence

Alisi W Daurewa, Suva

The recent statistics on sexual offences released by the Office of the Public Prosecutions for May 2017 (F/S, 2/6/17) are shocking! Thank you to the DPP, the Police and other Government agencies for your effort. According to the DPP's Office, in May alone, there were 28 people charged for 72 separate incidents which involved 33 victims.

These 72 incidents included 12 where the victim and accused were related. The 28 charged included grandfathers, fathers, father-in-law, stepfather, less than 18-year-old youth, a teacher and a Policeman. Of the 33 victims, 64 per cent were less than 18-years-old. The youngest were two toddlers (1-year-10 months and 1-year-11 months).

The accused for the 2 toddlers were; 22-yearold father and a 60-year-old grandfather. Another victim was 3-years-old and the accused was the child's 32-year-old stepfather. In another incident, a 73-year-old man raped his daughter, daughter-in-law and sexually assaulted his grand-daughter. Other victims included two students (local and foreign), and a mentally challenged victim.

These figures are alarming. They reveal we are a very, very sick society. While the responsibility is ours to share, questions however are posed to the institutions that were established for the people's physical and spiritual welfare:

1. Where is the Vanua that is represented in the Provincial Council?

2. Where is the Lotu (church) and other religious bodies that are supposed to be safe spaces for the flock?

3. Where are the District Advisory Councils?