Members of the public have been encouraged to be more aware and concerned about the increased reports of rape cases involving women and children.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the fundamental prevention for rape is not to allow it to happen in the first place.

He says that while harsher penalties can be a deterrent this is not the solution to the problem nor will it solve it.

“A few years ago we had introduced an increase in the penalties we’d also specifically set out an improvement in the archaic laws pertaining to sexual assaults and off course special recognition of pedophile or pedophilia as an offense so the laws are there its adequate in place but what is that we’ve seen is that with laws made more secure from that perspective, we’ve seen a lot more reporting too because people feel a lot safer.”

Sayed-Khaiyum adds educating the public is critical especially on how to treat and respect women.

Meanwhile, statistics released by the DPP’s Office last week give a starling insight into rape and sexual offences involving children.

For the month of June, there were 13 victims of rape, one of indecent assault and one of defilement.

All 13 victims were under 18 years of age….three of them between three and six years old.