News

Concerns raised regarding sexual offenders

April 29, 2019 5:38 am

A father is pleading for the establishment of a law that forbids sexual offenders from returning to live near their victims after serving prison time.

In his submission to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in Savusavu, Luke Maiyaroi says this will only create fear.

Maiyaroi told the Committee, his youngest daughter was molested several years ago by their village headman, who was later sentenced to two years imprisonment.

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He stated that the man has completed his prison term and has returned to the village, where his daughter lives as well.

Maiyaroi says his daughter now fears the man and refuses to be by herself in the village.

The 60-year-old says the trauma his daughter suffered was bad enough and now they have to deal with making sure their daughter is safe and protected from the man.

He requested the Committee if the proposed Registration of Sex Offenders Bill can include the protection of sexual offences victims from the perpetrators, especially in such situations.

Committee Chair, Alvick Maharaj says they are taking the submission seriously.

The Committee does not have any powers to do something about it at the moment, but we do note your concern and we will try to incorporate it into the Bill.

Maharaj has advised the man to liaise with the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs if they are looking to ban the man from the village.

The Committee will be holding public consultations in Taveuni today.