The Women’s Ministry is concerned with the increasing cases of child abuse and violence towards women and children in the country.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Josefa Koroivueta says according to the stats from the DPP there were 300 cases of rape and sexual assault this year.

Koroivueta says last month alone ten child rape cases were recorded, which is troubling.

“And the sad thing is about the violence in children is that that are done by people that are supposed to be the givers of the trust.”

Koroivueta says the recent data and statistics is an eye opener which indicates there are bigger issues that needs to be addressed.

Meanwhile, Fiji is the first country in the Pacific to have an integrated child protection service which includes a national help line.