The Fiji Council of Social Services is now calling for a different approach to the problem of drug and alcohol abuse in order to address the issue of crimes against women and children.

FCOSS president, Nemani Buresova said following the recent reports of the alleged rape of the eight year old school girl last week, every parent is rightly concerned about the safety and well being of their children.

Buresova said that reports have been surfacing over the past few months of attempted rape or sexual assault on women, and this indeed is worrying as in most cases the perpetrator is either drunk or has abused drugs.

He said that the only way to address the issue is through awareness and empowerment, and there is an urgent need to review the current strategies being used by government and Civil Society Organizations, in tackling the acts of Violence against Women and children in Fiji.