Women are still being hurt despite a DVRO – Ali

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is concerned with how some Police Officers handle Domestic Violence Restraining Orders as Coordinator Shamima Ali says that women have been hurt by their partners even when there is a DVRO, and when they call Police, nothing is being done, while Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew assures members of the public that complaints of corruption, abuse of authority or laxity will not be taken lightly.

Ali claims that the Police are not even encouraging domestic violence victims to apply for a DVRO, or sometimes they do not have it available at the Station.

She also claims the Police only counsel the victim and ask her not to report their husbands, lovers or defacto partners.

She adds that counselling is done to protect the victim, and Police should know how to assist a victim get a DVRO done rather than just counselling them and letting them leave without any follow-ups.

The FWCC Coordinator also highlighted that it is worse for women who are Police wives when they want to report their partners for domestic violence.

She says the woman will receive threats from other officers, while some officers will tell the woman that if she reports her partner or husband for domestic violence case, her partner or husband will lose his job and who is going to feed them.

Ali says this type of advice and counselling from the Police should stop, and they should treat every report seriously.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew says all official reports received will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with according to their internal disciplinary measures, or if criminal in nature, in a court of law.

He says as the acting head of the organisation, he accepts the criticisms levelled against the organisation as a way of learning and takes it as positive criticism.

Chew says they are actively working on addressing internal issues that have affected policing over a number of years.

The Acting Police Commissioner says he has faith in his officers' ability to effectively discharge their duties and Police officers are also well versed in the consequences, if they fail to uphold the integrity and ethics of the policing profession.

He adds as an organisation, they are committed to rebuilding trust within the communities and recognise that it starts from within.