IN light of the increase in new cases of sexual harassment and rape last year, religious bodies in the country are encouraging their members to be educated about the ills of such acts.
Methodist Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said church leaders would discuss the best measures to take regarding these issues.
"We're still on holiday at the moment, but these areas have always been our concern," Mr Nawadra said.
"We have heard news items from India on the issue of rape and members of the public really need to be aware of such actions," he said.
The gang rape of a medical student on a bus in the Indian capital New Delhi sparked a series of mass protests in Idia and the world over.
The victim of that attack died a few days later and the suspects woould face the death penalty if found guilty.
But Mr Nawadra said "for the time being, we will do what we can to help prevent such actions".
Sanatan Dharm Prathinidhi Sabha general secretary Vijendra Prakash said the Sabha always aimed to highlight such issues in the community.
"Sex is between two partners and things such as sexual harassment, rape and child abuse, we do not condone," he said.
"Children are such a large part of life and we must protect them. We must never abuse our children — they must be looked after well."
Mr Prakash said victims of rape and sexual harassment should be encouraged and counselled after such traumatic experiences.
"We are trying to encourage victims to come out and report these things so they can be dealt with appropriately, it is so important that they don't hide away," he said.
In the most recent report by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, 40 new cases of rape and 30 for sexual harassment were reported last year.