Police say the Fijian couple involved in the sex abuse case of their child in Pohnpei can be investigated if part of the offence was committed here in Fiji.
The Fiji Police Force says they cannot get the parents if the offence was committed in Pohnpei because of jurisdiction.
They say unless they receive a complaint lodged with them that part of the offence was committed within Fiji's jurisdiction then they can act.
However, Police say that they can still hold the girl’s parents accountable if the victim is willing to provide them with that statement.
Concerns are being raised by people regarding the man that raped his underage daughter in Pohnpei after getting her pregnant and serving a short sentence.
They say he is now deported to Fiji and is freely walking the streets.
His wife who had helped him cover up the sexual abuse of their daughter, was handed an eight year suspended sentence by the Pohnpei Supreme Court two weeks ago.
The woman was found guilty on seven of eight criminal counts, including conspiracy, solicitation, failure to report criminal activity, harassment, intimidation, psychological abuse, and unlawful confinement of a family member.
Despite the severity of the crimes, Judge Elias Anson suspended the prison sentence placing the woman on probation with several court ordered conditions.
She was acquitted of a separate charge requiring mandatory reporting of child abuse as the court determined she was not a legally defined reporter under Pohnpei law.
The court determined that she went to great lengths to conceal her daughter’s pregnancy and prevent the abuse from becoming known.
The crimes only came to light after outside intervention.
