One of the challenges that the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre saw during the COVID-19 pandemic is the late service of Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO) by some Police officers.
This was highlighted by the Manager Legal of FWCC, Miliana Tarai who says most of the time, the court registry would have served the DVRO on the Police Stations to have it served on the perpetrators but these would sit at the Police Stations.
Tarai also says there were breaches of the Domestic Violence Restraining Order, but Police were slow in investigating the matter and there were cases where Police officers themselves breached the DVRO.
She further highlighted that there were also instances where the Police officer would ask the victim to reconcile with the perpetrator even though there is a No Drop Oolicy if the officer knew the perpetrator or was related to them.
Tarai says Police officers who were executing Child Recovery Cases were forcing children to go with the father even when children expressed their wishes that they wanted to stay with their mother.
She also says there are practicing directions in place that Police should not force children to stay with the other party. Tarai highlighted that thee are good laws in place but there are gaps when it comes to implementation and enforcement
The Coordinator for the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Shamima Ali says Police need sustained training when it comes to gender violence against women and human rights.
Ali has also acknowledged the good work Police do in helping the Centre address and help the victims.
She says she has not met Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho since he has returned and she is hoping to meet him soon to discuss the issues that have crept up during COVID.
Ali says there are good things happening and they have to commend Government for that.
We have sent questions to Police in relation to the issues highlighted and are awaiting their response.
Meanwhile shocking statistics have been revealed by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre as 5,610 domestic violence cases were recorded by the Centre from January to October this year.
According to the Centre, there were 122 child sexual abuse cases, 70 child physical, verbal, emotional abuse cases, 59 sexual harassment cases, 54 child rape cases, 40 rape cases and 9 attempted rape cases.
They say there were instances where they worked with Police and the Ministry of Health to get the victims moved to a safer place.
The Centre also says that sexual abuse cases are under reported.
They have also highlighted there were instances where the victims’ partners would control their movements.
It has also been highlighted that women would hide to call or text the Crisis Centre.
