The lax attitude of the police towards domestic violence cases against women has worsened the situation, with escalating reports over the past 10 years, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali.
When contacted about a domestic violence victim not having her statement recorded by the police in Labasa last month, Ms Ali said: “I am not surprised at all.
“That is an everyday thing for us as we receive complaints and concerns from women who experience similar situations,” she added.
Ms Ali said two years ago in Seaqaqa a woman complained to the police of threats from her partner, but instead the officer asked her in Hindi whether anything had happened to her.
“Not long after that XXXXXXXX and her family were attacked by the same man,” Ms Ali said.
“The way police handle women’s issues is bad. I don’t know what they’re teaching at the police academy because the new grads and young officers don’t know the law relating to domestic violence.”
Ms Ali said they have engaged the services of a former police officer to deal with such matters.
“It is not the responsibility of the police to reconcile the couple or promote reconciliation of any matter, like the religious way because the man has to pay for his actions, and this is also biblical, what you sow you will reap.
“This is really sad. With the police treating women this way, they will not resolve any matter. I hope they seriously consider making positive changes when it comes to women and domestic violence.
“The police need proper training because in a training we held with them, we found out that the young ones don’t understand the law when dealing with domestic violence. And the old officers are just stuck in their own ways.”
