The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has accused the Drua management of covering up domestic violence allegations against players.
Centre coordinator Shamima Ali told The Fiji Times that players were being encouraged to file counter-charges against their partners, often over non-criminal matters, to deflect attention from the real issue — abuse.
“This is how they shift blame,” Ms Ali said.
“It’s a deliberate tactic and it’s been happening for years.”
Ms Ali claims both sporting bodies and the police played a role in enabling this culture of silence and impunity.
“This is a cover-up, plain and simple,” she added while calling for uniform disciplinary policies and immediate suspensions for any player under investigation.
Ms Ali said sporting organisations in Fiji, including the police, have covered up many cases of domestic violence and this has been going on for years.
“No one is doing anything about it, and people seem to favour the players a lot,” Ms Ali said.
“From a charge of verbal abuse that the player made to it escalating into criminal intimidation by the woman, they’re just trying to find a reason which isn’t even a reason.
“It’s like because she did that, she deserved to get beaten up or something, that’s the attitude that we have here, and that has to go.”
Ms Ali said this was tantamount to a cover-up by a sporting organisation itself, a cover-up by the police “and we’ve had this for ages”.
“When we have gone after someone or have tried to bring justice to the survivor, we have been told that in various police stations, there are a lot of cover-ups of players when they do this.”
Ms Ali called for stricter policies for sporting bodies, particularly for international players and teams.
“I just think there should be very good policies and one rule for everyone, for every player.
“What was done with French-based Vinaya Habosi should have been done to the other two players who have been allegedly accused.
“Just like any other job, they should be suspended when they are being suspected of having done something wrong. That is against the policy, against the ethics of the organisation, the same thing should be applied to rugby since it’s a national game.”
Questions sent to the Drua management team last week received no response when this edition went to press.
