Fiji’s National Domestic Violence Helpline is receiving a surge of calls from women facing coercive control, financial abuse, and restricted access to hospitals and justice, according to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.
Minister Sashi Kiran confirmed that while not every call results in formal police or health referrals, most were directed to counselling services, particularly the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and its branches.
“The National Domestic Violence Helpline recorded many women are being abused by their husbands/partners/boyfriends, withholding finances, needing accommodation, coercive control, verbally abused and restricted from accessing the necessary need and help, with hospital and justice sector,” Ms Kiran said.
She said the majority of the calls were for counselling and case follow-ups, with victims reporting a range of abuse including physical, emotional, and verbal violence – not just from partners, but also landlords and family members.
The helpline also noted a rise in calls from bystanders, seeking advice on how to report violence on behalf of someone they know.
“There has also been an increase in enquiries related to child abuse and rape,” according to the ministry.
Aside from domestic violence, helpline staff are also fielding calls related to social issues – including requests for welfare cash assistance, legal aid, disability support, and contact details for other service providers.
“Referrals were made to the respective agencies,” she said, emphasising the helpline’s broad role as both a crisis response and community support channel.”
The ministry says the figures highlight the multi-layered nature of vulnerability in Fiji, and the need to expand frontline services for women and families across the country.
The 1560 helpline remains toll-free.
