MAN CHARGED WITH 15 YEAR-OLD COUSIN RAPE

A 25-year old man was charged with the rape of a 15 year-old cousin last month (January, 2025).

This was revealed in the statistics on sexual offences released by the Office of the Director of Public yesterday.

Prosecutions (ODPP) record is related to the number of formal indictments (Information) filed in the High Courts of Fiji by the Director of Public Prosecutions in January.

This data is confined to incidents of serious sexual offences only.

The ODPP stated seven people were charged with a total of 11 counts of sexual offences in January. The counts for sexual offences were rape (7), indecent assault (1), and sexual assault (3).

There were seven victims of whom three victims were under the age of 18 years. There were six female victims and one male victim.

There were five incidents where the victims and the accused were related, the ODPP said.

“A 36-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 18-year-old daughter, however, this matter was discontinued due to insufficient evidence.

“A 54-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 47-year-old wife, however, this matter was discontinued after the victim could not be located or contacted.

“There was one incident where an 18-year-old man was charged with the rape and sexual assault of his 13-year-old nephew.

“In another incident, a 23-year-old man was charged with the rape and sexual assault of his 32-year-old cousin while in another incident, a 25-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 15-year-old cousin.

“Three cases were withdrawn after discontinuances (nolle prosequi) were filed due to insufficient evidence and victims could not be located or contacted.”

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