SEXUAL violence is under-reported in the North, according to Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali, who says low reporting rates mask the true scale of sexual violence.
She said that over the past 10 months, only 19 cases of rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment were reported.
“Survivors are still afraid of not being believed, afraid of being judged, and afraid of the response they will receive from institutions that are supposed to protect them,” she said.
Responding to queries from this newspaper, Ms Ali said the country could no longer afford to treat violence against women and children as an issue for statements and speeches.
“We must move urgently, collectively, and decisively to protect women and children in this country,” she said, adding that the number of women receiving counselling services for domestic violence in the North signalled that the crisis was widespread, persistent, and far from slowing.
“Domestic violence continued to dominate the centre’s caseload, accounting for 318 cases, or 76 per cent of all counselling sessions during the 10 months.”
Ms Ali said the statistics only scratched the surface of the reality that women and children faced in their homes and communities.
“These numbers confirm what we have been saying for decades: violence against women and girls is widespread, persistent, and fuelled by systemic failures that continue to deny survivors justice.
“Our counsellors see the trauma, fear, and injustice survivors face every day, and we must move beyond statements and take urgent, coordinated action.”
