Police are concerned about the number of rape and attempted rape cases being reported in various police stations around the country this year.
Assistant Spokesperson, Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said an average of three or four cases are reported every week and this is a significant increase compared to the same period last year.
He said in most of the cases, the offender is known to the victim.
Police are investigating two cases of attempted rape in Labasa and Navua.
A 13 year old school student of Labasa was allegedly forced by an unknown man into a bush where he attempted to rape her.
The girl was on her way back from the shop when the alleged incident took place.
In another incident a 28 year old woman of Navua filed a report with police that a man she was drinking with allegedly attempted to rape her.
Police are investigating both incidents.
Meanwhile, at the International Women’s Day celebrations in Suva yesterday, Director Public Prosecution Office Rep Jojiana Tuiteci said people need to know that anyone can apply for a restraining order under the provisions of the new Domestic Violence decree.
Tuiteci said as most women and girls who are victims of domestic violence are not aware of the availability of restraining orders, police officers and lawyers also have a legal obligation to apply for restraining orders when these occur.
Tuiteci added that anyone can make restraining orders at anytime through a telephone call.
