‘Porn fuels rape and incest’: Village headman urges constitutional ban

Cautata Village headman Jese Iliseva has blamed pornography for the growing number of rape and incest cases in Fiji.

He submitted for an outright ban to be written into the country’s Constitution.

During the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) consultations at Ovea Village Hall in Bau yesterday, he said the country’s supreme law should clearly prohibit pornography and remove provisions recognising marriages based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mr Iliseva told commissioners that pornography was contributing to a rise in sexual offences and was negatively influencing the behaviour of those who regularly consumed it.

He claimed that constant exposure to explicit material was affecting people’s thinking and judgement, leading some offenders to commit sexual crimes against their own relatives.

“The increase in rape cases is linked to people watching pornography every day. It affects the way they think and act,” he said.

Mr Iliseva wanted the amended Constitution to include stronger protections for what he described as Fiji’s moral, cultural and Christian values.

Among his proposals were a constitutional ban on pornography and the removal of legal recognition for same-sex and gender-based marriages.

He said such changes would help protect future generations and strengthen family values in the country.

The submission was one of several made during the consultation as the CRCs continues gathering public views on possible amendments to the 2013 Constitution.