Women across Fiji are flooding the National Domestic Violence Helpline with cries for help — many trapped in webs of coercive control, financial abuse, and blocked access to hospitals and justice.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says the toll-free 1560 service is grappling with a surge in cases where partners, landlords, and even relatives are subjecting victims to emotional, physical, and verbal torment.
Minister Sashi Kiran revealed not every case led to police or hospital intervention, with most callers directed to counselling services headed by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.
With reports of child abuse, rape, and growing community concern, the helpline has become a lifeline for the vulnerable — and a wake-up call for the nation.
“Collecting location and sex-disaggregated data on domestic violence helplines is crucial,” she said.
“It allows for a more accurate assessment of the problem, enabling targeted interventions and ensuring resources are directed effectively to those who need them most.”
The ministry’s data from January to December 2024 shows that the majority of calls came from the Central Division.
“Dominantly, females were calling to seek counselling and to report on domestic violence cases.”
The ministry assesses the effectiveness of the helpline through regular monitoring of detailed data provided by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, a key partner in delivering frontline support.
This includes tracking caller demographics, regional trends, and the nature of incidents reported.
Ms Kiran said rural and remote communities remained a priority, with efforts continuing to close gaps in access to critical services.
