ANOTHER woman has become the country's latest rape victim after she was attacked in Nadi on Saturday night only two days after a young woman was gang raped in Ra.
The above was confirmed by officers at the Sabeto Police Post yesterday.
The incident has brought to 16 the total number of rape cases for this month.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said sexual offences were crimes that required specialist and quick response from police.
"They have a long lasting effect on victims, their families and the community, and cross all socio-economic and cultural barriers," she said.
"Sexual assault can impact on the way the victim interacts with those close to them and the community as a whole.
"It also affects partners, children, family and friends of the victim, as well as the wider community."
"The Fiji Police maintains a very strict policy on sexual offences with a red alert response in place throughout the divisions and we will not condone these acts that violate the safety and privacy of our women and children."
Minister for women Dr Jiko Luveni also expressed concern with the alarming number of rape cases recorded in the Western Division so far this year.
She called on all women to take extra precautionary measures while socialising with their male counterparts.
"It is sad to see that despite the many awareness campaigns more women and girls are being raped," she said.
"In fact women should be careful while going out alone or socialising. We have encountered several cases of rape involving close relatives therefore women should be more vigilant at all times."
She also called on the males to respect the women and to give them the treatment they deserved.