TSI Warns of Alleged Exploitation of Girls as Young as 13 in Logging Areas

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Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has issued a strong statement warning that alleged relationships between young girls and foreign logging workers could amount to serious child protection and potential trafficking concerns.

In a statement titled “Extractive Wealth Must Not Come at the Cost of Our Children,” TSI said it is deeply concerned about mounting evidence linking extractive sector activities — particularly large-scale logging operations — with the exploitation of vulnerable women and children in rural communities across Solomon Islands.

TSI pointed to reported cases of girls as young as 13 allegedly entering relationships with foreign workers under arrangements involving financial or material exchange.

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“Whether framed as custom or informal agreements, such practices raise serious child protection and potential trafficking concerns,” the organisation stated.

While acknowledging that the extractive sector generates significant economic value, TSI stressed that no revenue stream justifies environments where vulnerable children face heightened risks of exploitation.

“The revenue generated is also mired with forest crimes such as money laundering and very little to no knowledge of the transnational dynamics and drivers of forestry crime. This is but a forest crime committed by Asian logging companies,” the statement said.

TSI is urging the Government, key stakeholders and development partners to pursue strategic approaches to trace financial flows and dismantle networks that enable crimes associated with forest exploitation.

It added that such efforts are essential not only to protect women and children from abuse, but also to safeguard what remains of the country’s forests and to promote transparent and sustainable governance.

News@SBM2026