Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu says there are areas that the Fiji Police Force needs to improve on and they do have mechanisms in place where their shortfalls can be addressed for the sake of improving responses to gender-based violence.
Tudravu highlighted this during a discussion that brought together service providers in a bid to improve responses to cases of gender-based violence.
The meeting consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Medical Services Pacific, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Empower Pacific, Salvation Army, and Homes of Hope.
Tudravu says the working group committee’s role is important in communicating the needs of their respective service providers.
He says all service providers have their role to play and the only way they can improve and learn from their weaknesses if they are made aware of them in forums such as this.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Jennifer Poole says the meeting was another important journey helping service providers respond effectively to the needs of women and girl survivors.
Poole says at times, some circumstances might challenge their ability to deliver services but it is important to work together and think of ways to address those needs to best deliver their services.
She says the second phase with regards to the training of the Service Delivery Protocol is underway in strengthening service provider's roles.
The Fiji National Service Delivery Protocol for Responding to Cases of Gender-Based Violence is a document outlining the standard operating procedures for Interagency Response among Social Services, Police, Health, and Legal/Justice providers.
The National Protocol is a response that ensures the provision of appropriate, timely, and quality services for survivors of gender-based violence together with accountability and justice for perpetrators.
