In Vanuatu, police have called on all parents, chiefs and church leaders to pull together to address an alarming increase in rapes.
This comes after the arrest of a 12-year old boy for the alleged rape of a 12 year old girl.
He has been released on bail.
The Police Family Protection Unit confirms that on average 3 cases of alleged rape are being reported each week.
Police say the number of reported rapes is up in both urban and rural areas but they suspect many cases are not reported.
Earlier this week the organisation, Vanuatu Women Against Crime, called for the government to organise an urgent forum on the prevention of violent crime.
