Tabuya works with FWCC to assess the needs of young mother and her children

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya says she has reached out to the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre as well as the Ministry's Women's Interest Officers and Child Welfare officers, to assess the needs of the young mother and her children following an incident where the woman claims that her plea to the Police did not result in swift action regarding her husband who is a Police officer.

Tabuya says the matter has been reported to the Police, who have assured her that investigations are underway.

She says as the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, she would like to extend her heartfelt gratitude to the members of the public who alerted her to the incident of domestic violence faced by the young mother and her children last Saturday.

Tabuya says your collective efforts in raising awareness and calling attention to this issue are commendable.

She urges all women who are experiencing abuse or violence in their homes to come forward, and seek help by contacting the Ministry's Domestic Violence Toll-Free Line 1560.

Tabuya says domestic violence is a grave national concern that requires a united front to combat.

She says it is not solely the responsibility of the government or law enforcement to address this issue; it demands a collaborative effort from all sectors of society.

The Minister calls upon traditional leaders, community leaders, and leaders of faith-based organizations to join them in putting an end to this national scourge.

She says together, through a whole-of-society approach and a shift in behaviour, we can put an end to violence and abuse against women and children.

Police said over the weekend that the Internal Affairs Unit has been directed to investigate the alleged conduct of a police officer, mentioned in the video in circulation on social media.

They say the allegations against the officer are serious in nature, and the Fiji Police Force assures members of the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

It says the organisation is committed to upholding the integrity and professionalism of the policing profession, and any conduct by a police officer deemed otherwise, will be investigated and due processes followed with regards to disciplinary measures.

The woman alleged in some videos on Saturday that Valelevu Police Station officers took no action for 5 hours in relation to her complaint against her husband who is a police officer. She claims the officers said at the station that they could not do anything as she was legally married to her husband.

She also had a video where she was trying to get her drunk husband out of the house. She alleged that the house is owned by her parents however officers at the scene did not do anything and said that they had to go to the station to get her Police statement.

The woman was baffled on why she was being given a run around with her children as this could even lead to them getting hurt or murdered.

When approached by fijivillage News on these issues, Police said they are investigating the matter.