The Fiji Police Force yesterday sought the help of religious leaders, parents and members of the public in waging war against rape and abuse of Fijian children and women.

Police chief of operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, made the call while launching the Crime Prevention Day at Sakoca, Tamavua yesterday.

ACP Tudravu revealed a decline in the number of sexual offences cases reported to Police in the last five years.

From January to last month, Police recorded 2275 sexual offences cases – in 2013 there were 3256, last year 3073.

He said the decline should not deter Fijians in our fight against rape and abuse.

ACP Tudravu however, said there had been an increase in defilements of girls under 13 years and of girls between 13 to 16 years.

He said last week Police received a report of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly defiled by a bus driver who allegedly kept the student at his house for two days before taking her back to her home.

ACP Tudravu said Police would be stringent against sexual offences to prosecute  perpetrators.

“We should not be complacent about things,” ACP Tudravu said.

“Most of those committing sexual offences are known and related to their victims and that is a major worry. If our children cannot trust us, then who can they trust?”

He said statistics over the past five years revealed that majority of reported sexual offences cases occurred at iTaukei communities.

“This put into question our values, morals and religious beliefs. I caution parents and religious leaders on their important role that they need to demonstrate,” he said.

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