The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is calling for an immediate investigation into how Nadi Police handled the case of Latchman Krishna who killed his wife and then took his own life last Friday.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says according to reports, Latchman Krishna was arrested last Wednesday for the criminal intimidation of his wife and Police made the decision to release him last Thursday afternoon after holding him overnight.
Ali says the Police told Krishna to go home but stay in separate bedrooms
Ali says they believe the failed actions taken by Police in this case led to the murder of Artika Kumari.
She says this underscores the need for systemic reforms and better training within the Police Force to ensure that all officers are equipped to handle cases of domestic violence effectively and with sensitivity.
The Coordinator says this needs to be taken seriously by Police especially when they are facing an epidemic of domestic violence against women, with Fijian women being murdered, tortured and assaulted.
She says laws that protect women and children against domestic violence can only be effective when police officers respond urgently and efficiently to cases.
Ali says the law allows a person to apply for a domestic violence restraining order and such applications are to be dealt with as a matter of urgency at any time of the day and night.
She says Police need to know how to obtain a domestic violence restraining order for women who bring in their concerns about domestic violence, but this is not happening.
The Coordinator says many Police officers are unable to effectively investigate cases of violence against women and girls.
She says they lack the training and knowledge to properly handle such cases, leading to significant challenges for victims seeking justice.
Ali says there is a reluctance to address domestic violence because of the patriarchal mindset, and this attitude often comes from within the Police Force itself.
The Coordinator says many Police officers themselves are perpetrators of domestic violence, and this is where the reluctance to investigate cases is also coming from.
She says Police officers need ongoing training on violence against women, girls and human rights to understand the dynamics and the need to get this training from experts like FWCC who are at the coalface of dealing with violence against women and girls.
Ali says the counselling should be there, but the counselling is often for the woman to go back to her husband.
The FWCC Coordinator says in some cases, the police start praying with the victim that she should go back to her husband, and be a good wife.
The National Domestic Violence Helpline is 1560, and is available 24/7 and it is free to call from any network.
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