Despite recording a decrease in rape and sexual offence cases for last year, the first few months of this year has not been a good start.

According to Police statistics, there was a 22% decrease in sexual offence cases for last year compared to 966 cases reported in 2009.

However for the first few weeks of the year, over six cases of the alleged rape of girls between the ages of 13 to 15 years were recorded.

Police Spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said while police are doing their part by visiting the villages and schools carrying out awareness programs, more needs to be done by parents, guardians and the Vanua.

He stressed that while theft and burglary top the crime list in the country, it can be combated however it needs to be understood that rape or sexual offenses cannot be forgotten and the trauma stays with the victim right throughout their life.

The two latest cases saw two men, one from Beqa and another from Nadi being investigated for the alleged rape of minors.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala