A TOTAL of 21 rape cases in the Northern Division were dealt with by the police between January and December last year.
Speaking at International Women's Day celebrations, divisional police commander North Acting Senior Superintendent Fulori Rainibogi said 10 cases of rape and attempted rape were recorded between January and March compared to seven recorded in the same period this year.
Acting SSP Rainibogi said the seven cases this year mostly involved women.
"All 2012 cases have been dealt with in court where suspects were arrested and charged and produced for prosecution," said Acting SSP Rainibogi.
"Cases for 2013 are also pending in court and suspects are in custody. In cases of violence against women and children, there were 15 cases registered in the Labasa district alone and so far there have been no further reports."
Acting SSP Rainibogi urged women to break institutional barriers that held them back because they could improve the odds of success by believing in themselves and taking action.
"Fiji is demonstrating its commitment to ending gender-based violence against women and girls by attesting to the United Nations Women's Global 'Commit' campaign. We will, therefore, need to work hand in hand to utilise the resources around us and in our various communities or societies so that we can shine and change the mind-set of people around us."