Reports of child rape this year have increased to 70 cases compared with 24 cases reported last year.
Out of the 70 cases of child rape, the Central and Northern divisions recorded the most with 38 reported at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Suva branch and 20 at the Labasa branch.
FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali said they recorded more cases of child rape compared with adult rape.
“This is mind-blowing and shocking as we have recorded 70 child rape compared to 20 adult rape cases for this year only,” she said.
“And the saddest part is that the perpetrators are family members and people they know.”
In an interview yesterday, Ms Ali said the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which started on Friday, enabled them to have the United Nations recognise violence against women as a violation of human rights.
“It is actually a political issue and recognised as a violation and so the UN urges member nations to do something about it,” she said.
“This movement has got us to be recognised over 30 years which has got everyone, faith-based organisations, Government and communities, to do something about it.”
