[Source: Fiji Police]

Twenty police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department are undergoing advanced training.

The training is on sexual assault investigations in Suva.

This will ensure they gauge sufficient information and expertise in investigating sex crimes which have been labelled by the Prime Minister as a “National Shame.”

The training has been made possible with the partnership of the US government with experts from their Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) deployed to Fiji to assist our officers.

Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says Fiji’s recorded a 44% reduction in overall sexual offences however, more still needs to be done to address this.

“The detection and successful prosecution of sexual offences is undoubtedly a priority for us – but – we also need to focus on the prevention aspects and try to better understand why the crimes are being committed in the first place. Within the 48 hour detainment period, understanding the psyche of a sex crime suspect can be quite difficult – especially if one is related to the victim. The pertinent question on everyone’s mind and what we need to understand better is what drives or possess an individual to lust after their own flesh and blood.”

He adds there is always more room for police officers to learn and improve the status quo.

Brigadier General Qiliho says this training will ensure they boost their white glove approach in creating awareness about sex crimes.

The Police Commissioner says the majority of these crimes are happening behind closed doors in what is supposed to be “Safe Zones.”

Meanwhile, 327 rape cases were recorded in 2016 – whereas in 2017 it was reduced to 210.

Last year, 195 rape cases were recorded – 40 involving domestic related rape cases and 123 of these involved children as victims.