Rape of children is a very serious offence and it seems to be very prevalent in Fiji.
These are the words of High Court Judge Justice Aruna Aluthge who sentenced a 45-year-old man to 12 years imprisonment for raping a 12-year-old girl in Nadi.
Justice Aluthge says our nation’s children must be protected and they must be allowed to develop to sexual maturity unmolested.
He also says that psychologists tell us that the effect of sexual abuse on children in their later development is profound.
This matter was taken up to the High Court for sentencing after the 45-year-old man was found guilty in the Nadi Magistrates Court.
The man who was the 12-year-old girl’s neighbour raped her at her home in front of her younger sisters while their mother was away.
He also threatened the girl that she should not tell anyone about the rape.
The man later visited the victim and her family with his wife seeking traditional forgiveness.
His starting sentence was 14 years but 2 years was deducted for the mitigating factors.
The 45-year-old man is married and has a 7-year-old child.
Justice Aluthge says he is a farmer earning $30 a week, he cooperated with police, he does not have previous convictions of a sexual nature and he expressed remorse when he was found guilty and promised not to reoffend and sought mercy of the court and the victim.
The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment.
It is settled and confirmed by the Supreme Court that the tariff for rape of a juvenile is 10 to 16 years imprisonment.
