Human Trafficking is Real: Miss Savusavu
Miss Savusavu believes this is a crime that many people rarely talk about.
Tuesday 12 July 2022 | 17:13
Miss Savusavu Sophia Fatafei is vying for the Miss Digicel Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival crown. Photo: Shratika Naidu
Sophia Fatafei has returned to Digicel Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival with a purpose – to tell the public that human trafficking is real.
The 19-year-old of Wailevu West, Cakaudrove, is Miss Savusavu, said: “Anything can happen in Fiji and we need to be prepared with information so that in due time we can act fast and assist the Police in tackling human trafficking.
“The purpose of my return to the carnival is to advocate on human trafficking, which I believe, is something people rarely talk about. The lack of known cases and statistics does not mean the crime itself is diminishing.”
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Ms Fatafei was one of the princesses in the 2014 Duavata Northern Crime Prevention carnival.
“Victims have reported being trafficked into Fiji and there is corroborating evidence by domestic trafficking victims within the country itself,” the first-year student at the University of the South Pacific said.
“Many families in Fiji have traditions of sending children to live in larger cities with relatives and this sometimes put many at a high risk of exploitation. Traffickers know that they do not have to put in much effort to coerce those riddled with poverty into sex trafficking, in exchange for food or shelter.”
She is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce and aspires to become an accountant. The youngest of nine siblings thanked her mother, who is a retired schoolteacher and her father, who drives a taxi, for their support. The carnival ends on Saturday.
Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj
