Fiji records rise in juvenile sexual offenders
He said the Fiji Police Force, as a law enforcement agency, recognised the importance of balancing the rehabilitation and accountability within the justice system, particularly for children.
Saturday 23 November 2024 | 12:37
More Fijian children are being caught in criminal activities, says the Fiji Police Force.
In the past five years, Police recorded an alarming 503 cases where juveniles were sexual offenders. Out of the 503 cases, 206 were rapes.
This was revealed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime (ACP) Mesake Waqa during the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Annual Conference at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji resort on Thursday.
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He said the Fiji Police Force was concerned over the shifting of age criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years.
The shift was proposed by the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya during their meeting with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children last week.
ACP Waqa said while the shift in criminal age group had been happening internationally, it had implications on the Fiji Police Force and the safety of the people of Fiji.
“While advocates also shift to the need for a more human approach to juvenile justice, it colludes the potential and adverse effect on policy, on operation and investigation of prosecutions, community safety and juvenile accountability,” ACP Waqa said.
He said the Fiji Police Force, as a law enforcement agency, recognised the importance of balancing the rehabilitation and accountability within the justice system, particularly for children.
“There would be an increased risk of serious offences resulting in a lack of accountability for children from the ages of 10 to 13, allowing them to engage in serious offences without facing immediate legal consequences allowing them to be more fearless.”
In terms of public safety, ACP Waqa said a constructive deterrent was essential to prevent ongoing criminality among young Fijian offenders.
“By raising the age of criminal responsibility, we risk disempowering families and communities that play vital roles in rearing children towards fair choices and fostering positive behaviour.
He said collaboration between families, the vanua, Government and stakeholders was needed to safeguard Fijian children.
He said any change must have accountability and rehabilitation.
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