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Fiji new ground for paedophiles?

Is Fiji, beset with political and racial problems, becoming the new hunting ground for paedophiles?

The increasing number of foreigners being caught in Fiji committing sexual crimes against minors is causing alarm in these South Pacific islands.

In what is the fourth case in less than a year, a New Zealander has been charged for sexually assaulting girls under the age of 12. If found guilty, he faces 13 years in prison.

Rex McCray is awaiting trial in the Nadi magistrate's court. He is alleged to have lured two girls into his hotel last year. Most of the girls McCray allegedly victimised are from poor backgrounds. The department of social welfare has taken the girls under their care.

A spokesman for the department says they are well aware that paedophiles are turning their attention towards the South Pacific with much of Asia, their previous haunt, cracking down on these activities.

Asia has seen some highly publicised arrests with paedophiles being given lengthy jail terms.

He said paedophiles took advantage of the friendliness and generosity of island people.

In a highly publicised case, Mark Lawrence Mutch, an expatriate, was jailed for 13 years for abusing and raping four minor girls.

He had been at it for several years, and was only discovered after he sent his digital camera to Australia for repairs, where the technicians came upon nude pictures of the girls and informed the police.

Indo-Asian News Service

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