Over 90% of perpetrators in family violence cases are males and over 90% of victims are females.
This has been revealed by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in a public symposium organized by Leadership Fiji at Grand Pacific Hotel.
Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says this is the reality of the situation and more needs to be done to get men involved in breaking the cycle of family violence.
2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty who is in the country to raise awareness on family violence and what the key stakeholders in the country can do to address the issue, has also stressed that all types of violence starts with disrespect and we should ensure that we are focusing more on the perpetrators when we are trying to stop family violence.
Batty’s role as a campaigner began in 2014 after her 11‑year‑old son Luke Batty was murdered by his father at cricket practice on a sports oval in Melbourne.
Batty began speaking publicly about her experience. She became an advocate for domestic violence survivors and victims.
While speaking at the public symposium, Shamima Ali has also highlighted that 64% of women in Fiji have suffered some type of domestic violence and 55% of children in the country have witnessed domestic violence in their home.
According to the Crisis Centre, 80% of perpetrators in sexual violence cases are known to the survivors while 50% of them are relatives.
Many agreed at the public symposium that more men need to join the fight against family violence.
Batty says we all need to look at how we can stop family violence before it begins.
She also says that we need to make it clear that it is unacceptable.
Batty says it is not just about building women’s refugee centres or focusing on victim blaming but ensuring that everyone says no to violence.
We will have more later this afternoon.
