Increase In Crimes Against Women, Children

The Fiji Police Force has recorded an increase in crimes against women in three divisions.

Last month, police recorded a total of 218 cases against women; that’s 33 per cent of cases committed in a domestic setting.

This is committed solely by the spouses or their partners.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said these cases were recorded in the western, eastern, and central divisions.

Victims were mainly between the ages of 18-39 and the most common offence was assault, with 157 cases compared to 148 cases in the same period last year.

Common assault recorded 29 cases this year, compared to 12 cases in the same period last year.

11 per cent were sexual offences, while 89 per cent were assault-related offences. Police recorded 155 female victims aged between 18 and 38 years, 46 aged between 39 and 59 years, and 17 over 60 years.

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Children

The Southern, Western, and Eastern Divisions recorded increases in crimes against children.

Police noted an increase in crimes against children by 10 per cent, 16 per cent of incidents were reported where parents or relatives were their caretakers.

Of the 115 child victims, 72 are girls and 43 are boys. 47 per cent of the 115 cases were sexual offences with 44 per cent assault-related, and the remaining nine per cent other offences.

ACP Chew said that with the majority of the incidents occurring within domestic settings, holistic, concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes of the serious crimes occurring within a setting that is expected to be a safe zone.

Drugs

ACP Chew said the increase in the two cases as well as the 75 per cent increase in drug-related offences have contributed to the overall increase in crime by 14 per cent.

The 189 drug cases registered last month were mostly for unlawful possession of illicit drugs, which was 167; 21 cases for unlawful production of illicit drugs; and one case for unlawful shipment of illicit drugs.

ACP Chew said the increase in numbers indicated the commitment of discoveries.

He continues to call for a collaborative effort from all spectrums of society on the war against drugs.

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