Police and state prosecutors now have the powers to bring a number of people to justice after a new set of prostitution offences came into effect under the Crimes Decree yesterday.
Former High Court Judge Nazhat Shameem said people who live of the earnings of prostitution and organize prostitution rackets in the country can now be charged.
Shameem said it is also a major step forward with the clients also facing charges as the Penal Code was only targeting the prostitutes.
Nazhat Shameem said the issue of sexual exploitation is also clearly addressed in the Crimes Decree.
Under the Crimes Decree, a person commits an offence if he or she knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution. It is also a crime if a person solicits or offers for immoral purposes in any public place.
The maximum sentence for these offences is six years imprisonment.
A person also commits an offence if he or she loiters in a public place for the purpose of offering themselves for sex in return for a payment of any nature, seeks the services of a prostitute in a public place, uses the services of a prostitute and makes arrangements with a prostitute in order to use his or her services by any communication whatsoever.
Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person he or she finds in any public place whom he reasonably suspects to be committing an offence under the provisions of the prostitution offences.
A magistrate may also issue a warrant authorizing any police officer to enter and search a house and arrest people if it is made to appear to a magistrate by information on oath that a house is being used for purposes of prostitution.
The penalty for anyone caught operating a brothel is five years imprisonment or a ten thousand dollars fine, or both.
Prostitution clients to be charged too
Related Stories
COMPOL urges Lagalaga Sanatan students to value discipline and education
Students of Lagalaga Sanatan Primary School in Labasa have been reminded of the importance of education, discipline and obedience by the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu. Tudravu spoke to the students during
Heavy Rain Alert remains for Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups
A Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu from Serua, Namosi through Navua, Suva, Nausori, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni, Kadavu, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups and near
Warning letter written to Prof. Narsey – Acting AG
Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga says a strong warning letter has been written to Electoral Reform Commissioner Professor Wadan Narsey after he came out publicly with the Electoral Reform Commission report recommen
3 Fijian men from KVT gang in Sydney denied bail for AUD$12.5M drugs case
Three Fijians who are alleged to be associated with a gang supplying drugs in Sydney have been refused bail by the court. 28-year-old Eparama Nevale, 28-year-old William Ravoka, and 24-year-old George Sukanaivalu,
Proposed ‘People First’ submits application for registration
The Proposed ‘People First’ has submitted its application for registration to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa. Mataiciwa confirms that the FEO is now preparing to publish the party’s applica
Visitor arrivals on track for record year while sugar output drops
Visitor arrivals have recovered following a decline in the first quarter and based on current trends, Fiji is on track to achieve a third consecutive year of record visitor arrivals in 2025. While speaking on the p