The increasing number of sexual crimes against girls and women especially by a known perpetrator has been described as a disgrace by the National Council of Churches Chairman Rev Aisoli Iuli.

In a recent court ruling, Supreme Court Judge Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa questioned the functions of the church and culture in modern-day Samoa.

The comments were made as a 71-year-old man was sentenced to 22 years in jail for raping his two granddaughters.

Rev Iuli said it was sad to see that these crimes were on the rise like wildfire.

When asked about Justice Niava's comment about Christianity and church in Samoa, Rev Iuli said church ministers are still preaching the Word of God every day and pastoral care is there 24/7 but if a person is hard-headed like a rock, then that's where the problem lies.

"If a person is hard-headed and merciless, then the Word of God preached by the church ministers is nothing to such person," he said.

"We are preaching every day, the ministries and organisations who are trying to eliminate these types of crimes are doing their work and even the government is also working hard just to put an end to these crimes," he added.

Rev Iuli said if the court was dishing out lengthy punishments for such offences, then it should be just to make them learn and know that it's their children who are victimised by their disgraceful actions and it needed to stop.

"The big question is where are our culture and Christianity? Where is the church? Where is the trust that these young girls gave you to ensure they feel secure at home?" Justice Niava said to the man on Tuesday.

In another case, a man who had sexual connections with his niece was also heard in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The actions of this man left the young girl pregnant after he committed the offence two times in 2022.

It is almost every day that cases of sexual violence are brought to court and most of the victims and defendants have close relationships. According to the court list, sexual offences are the most common cases.

The courts have tried to deter such crimes with harsh punishments.