ISSUES like domestic violence do not become relevant until it happens to you.
Former five-time Olympian and US volleyball player Danielle Scott-Arruda shared this in light of the alarming increase in domestic violence cases in Fiji.
Ms Scott-Arruda is in the country as the US Embassy envoy to promote the sport in this weekend’s Nadi International Airport volleyball tournament.
“My daughter is nine and this is the first time we are both visiting the country.
I did a little reading before coming over and found out that Fiji is a beautiful country with beautiful people,” Ms Scott-Arruda said.
“I think every three minutes, there is someone being abused and this is a really alarming rate.
“We just have to be more aware, be more present to the people you are with when you are around them and do not be afraid to say these things.
“It doesn’t become relevant until it happens to you so if we can bring more awareness around domestic violence in all the forms that it comes with — emotional, physical, economical then we can start to see and try to help, prevent or help people out of that situation.”
The brave act of the former Olympian captured world’s attention when she tried to protect her sister who unfortunately died after being attacked by her estranged husband in November last year.
Ms Scott-Arruda was wounded and stabbed five times during the attack, one on each hand as she tried to ward off the attack and three wounds to her left leg as she fell with her sister during the attack.
She has also urged women to always talk to someone when they needed to.
