The revelation that we have a disturbing rise in domestic violence and sexual offences is alarming!
According to Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, this includes the defilement of young persons aged 13 to 16.
Speaking during a media conference at the police headquarters this week, Mr Tudravu expressed concern over what he said was an increase in crimes against women and children.
Crimes against women, he said, increased by 20 per cent, whereby 37 per cent of these crimes were committed within domestic settings, predominantly perpetrated by spouses and partners.
Most cases involved physical violence, he said, with sexual offences making up a smaller but still significant proportion.
“89 per cent of the cases were assault-related, while 11 per cent involved sexual offences,” Mr Tudravu said.
Crimes against children, he said, recorded an increase of 8 per cent. Of the 114 cases, 68 per cent were sexual offences, 24 per cent assault-related and 8 per cent linked to other offences.
Nearly a quarter of sexual crimes were committed by people known to the victims, often within families.
Many of the cases, he said, were coming from isolated communities and he called for help in breaking the silence around abuse.
He pleaded with the public to help protect society’s most vulnerable.
The figures are quite shocking. Betrayal of trust is one of the most devastating aspects of these offences.
Yet they offer us a reality check. This is the real deal! This is what we have out there.
Our challenge is how do we tackle these challenges and turn these numbers around.
We have got to be mindful of the impact of such abuse on the vulnerable.
We have got to be aware of how it impacts them, and how lives can be ruined.
Change starts from within though. It has to come from each one of us.
Again, we say, silence is complicity!
Let’s face it! Real change begins in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and in our hearts. It begins with how we raise our children, the values we instil in them, and the conversations we are willing to have. Let’s reject harmful stereotypes. Let’s create safe spaces where victims feel empowered to speak.
In fact we must all speak up. We must be engaged. And we must be aware!
The revelation above is disturbing and needs urgent attention.
The safety of our communities and our loved ones depends on our willingness to confront ugly truths. Violence and abuse should not be tolerated. Our women and children must live free from fear!
