751 reports of violence against women & children in the first 7 months - FWCC

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre has received 751 reports of violence against women and children for the first seven months of this year.

It says this includes 421 domestic violence cases.

According to the FWCC, during this period they also received reports of 13 rape cases, five attempted rape cases and seven other sexual offences.

There were 38 reports of child sexual abuse cases, 22 child physical, emotional, verbal abuse cases and 10 adult child abuse cases.

10 sexual harassment cases and 225 other cases were also received by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre during this period.

Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says they will continue to provide training and create awareness until every woman and child in this country is safe and given the respect they deserved.

She says patriarchy remains the biggest barrier to addressing violence against women and girls.

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre held a five-day training workshop on gender-based violence and human rights for 60 women from Namara Village in Ra this week.

It conducted the training following a request from the village tikina council which noticed an increase in the cases of violence against women and children in the area.

Ali says it is encouraging to see village leaders recognising the need for a change in the mindset of men and calling for immediate action against violence against women and children.

She says the training also includes advocacy, response and prevention.

Ali further says such training has proven to be effective as more women were now seeking help and speaking out instead of remaining silent.

The training is focused on gender, human rights, violence against women and girls, child sexual assault, and legislation.

The training was conducted in the iTaukei language by Community Advocates from the Rakiraki and Suva Crisis Centre’s and is supported by the New Zealand government.