A 23-year old man of Tavua has been sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment for sexually assaulting his seven year old niece.

Justice Aruna Aluthge of the Lautoka High Court said the case is not fit and proper for a court of law to be mellowed with sympathy.

Justice Aluthge says it is rather unfortunate that the respect for children is on the decline and incidents of sexual molestation in familial environment are steadily growing.

He says the alarming factor is that the younger generation especially girls of tender years are increasingly at a risk of sexual exploitation in domestic environments.

Justice Aluthge adds if we are to eradicate this notion and uplift the decency and morality in public life, the administration of criminal justice system had to be strict and firm on those who violate the social norms.

He delivered the comments while sentencing a man for sexually assaulting his niece twice in October 2012.

The attacks occurred when the accused visited the victim’s family.