Human trafficking not only means the movement of people into the country but also means the movement of people and children within Fiji for forced labor or even for sexual services.

That was the revelation made by Director Public Prosecution, Aca Rayawa at the Trafficking in person Workshop held last week.

Rayawa said that under the new crimes Decree which came into force last year, if a person is held against their will or deceived into taking up a job such as prostitution, this person is a victim of trafficking.

There have been stricter penalties imposed on those caught to be the master minds or facilitating the movement or proposed movement of such domestic trafficking with 12 years imprisonment while penalty of 25 years is imposed if the victim is a child.

Meanwhile, Director for the Police Special Unit set up to look into Trafficking in Fiji, SSP Ravi Narayan said that the unit established last year would be also dealing with domestic trafficking but will start off with community awareness.

He adds that the only way to tackle such trafficking is if the public are aware of the issue.

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