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Fiji’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation has attributed poverty as one of the root causes of domestic violence and sexual offences in Fiji.
Minister for Women Dr. Jiko Luveni highlighted this at the symposium on Elimination of Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence today organised by the Fiji Police and the Social Welfare ministry.
She said domestic violence not only affects the victims, but also their children and families as there can be far-reaching financial, social, health and psychological consequences.
“The impact of violence also have indirect costs including the costs to the nation on bringing perpetrators to justice and the costs of medical treatment for injured victims,” Luveni added.
She added they are aware that women and children are mostly the victims of sexual offences and domestic violence.
“These offences often occur within the home environment whereby the perpetrator is known to the victims.”
Luveni stressed the mental and physical effects of sexual and domestic violence leaves a stigma not only on the victims but also on the society as a whole.
“We know that many crimes of violence against women are not reported to the police, but what about those that are reported and are the perpetrators identified, charged and successfully prosecuted?” she questioned.
Luveni established the need to look at data collected about crime to enable them to arrive at a rate of successful offender prosecutions as according to her, many investigations are often inconclusive for sexual assault victims.
“There is no better way to progress on our efforts to address domestic violence and sexual offences than to put the issue on the table and have intensive consultation with all stakeholders,” she said.
“We are aware that no single society is immune to sexual offences and domestic violence which is as poisonous as a deadly virus plaguing our society today.”
The symposium has been organised in light of the increasing statistic on the number of victims of domestic violence and sexual offence.
It is hoped the symposium will be an ideal opportunity for Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Social Welfare and Women along with other relevant stakeholders to examine the progress to date and consider how multi-agency frameworks can be implemented successfully in all areas to make a difference.
