The issue of child sexual abuse material is escalating in Fiji, as stressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications Manoa Kamikamica during a recent parliamentary session. Speaking on the initiatives undertaken by the National Taskforce to Address Pornography, Kamikamica pointed out that the internationally accepted terminology is Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM), which emphasizes the gravity of the issue rather than using the term “child pornography,” which he believes downplays its serious implications on child safety.
The Deputy Prime Minister informed attendees that the protection of children online is a pressing concern and highlighted the formation of the Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Unit by the police to better address these issues through enhanced capacity and tools. Notably, he mentioned that over 3,600 incidents of child sexual abuse material were reported in Fiji in 2023, with these alarming statistics documented by the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These reports came from various electronic service providers, and Kamikamica noted that a significant percentage of these reports stemmed from major platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok.
In collaboration with the Australian government, UNICEF is conducting a comprehensive mapping study of efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse materials in Fiji. This initiative involves engaging with various stakeholders, including members of the Taskforce, to ensure a thorough understanding of the ongoing efforts and to establish a pathway forward. The findings from this study will be carefully reviewed during the Taskforce’s upcoming meeting, where strategies will be formulated to tackle this serious issue effectively.
The government plans to take a proactive approach by organizing a study mission to Australia, aiming to learn from their significant legal reforms concerning child protection in digital spaces. The commitment to re-evaluate and reform existing laws surrounding child protection was underscored, aiming to strengthen Fiji’s response to online threats and ensure a safer environment for children.
This initiative reflects a collective determination to protect the most vulnerable members of society and emphasizes a community commitment towards enhancing the safety of children, both offline and online. It serves as a call to action for parents and guardians to exercise vigilance in monitoring the content shared online concerning children, with the overarching goal to create a more secure digital landscape for future generations.