Police in Tonga say the incidence of child sex offending has increased in the past five years.
Police Superintendent Tevita Fifita told Radio Tonga there were 18 reported cases in the year 2014-2015, with most of the victims under the age of 12.
He says this is an increase over previous years as there has been a rise in the number of reported rape cases.
While 52 cases were reported, Superintendent Fifita says some rapes are dealt with between the parties and families involved before they are reported to police.
Chief Magistrate Salesi Mafi says carnal knowledge of a child carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.
