FORMER Minister for Women, Lynda Tabuya has filed criminal proceedings against Alexandra Forwood.
Ms Tabuya told The Fiji Times she travelled to Australia last week to press charges.
“Yes, last weekend, I filed criminal proceedings against Alexandra Forwood in Sydney, the Parramatta Station, this has been taken up by the Australian Federal Police, who I believe are awaiting refugee police to complete their investigations, and through Interpol, they will be in contact to take forward the complaint that I filed,” Ms Tabuya said.
“I’m also travelling to the UK in the next couple of weeks to also file criminal proceedings against Victor Lal in the UK,” she said.
Ms Tabuya said she was fully aware of the impact of her efforts to file charges against those who committed a crime by sharing a private video.
“That’s the main reason why I’m doing it. If I don’t see this through — for all the women and girls who do not have the opportunities that I have, who may feel defenceless and voiceless — I believe I need to see this through. It is important in terms of the rule of law as well as justice for women, especially as we celebrate International Women’s Day and stand in solidarity with women who face violence, including online violence,” Ms Tabuya said.
Ms Tabuya stated that women were often targeted 10 times more than men, which was unjust.
“It includes online violence, including women journalists. There’s so much vitriol against women journalists doing the important work of investigation as well as taking the voice of the people out to the nation. But often, women are targeted more than men, 10 times more than men, and this is unjust.
“When that happens, they need to see this case through. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many women who have come to me directly to share their stories of facing online violence — they are experiencing sextortion.
“This means being told, ‘You need to pay me this amount of money, otherwise I will post your pictures.’ This comes from ex-boyfriends and even from fathers of their children, especially in custody disputes after separation.
“It can also come from fathers who have moved on to other relationships but still try to control a woman they have left. When she wants to move on and be happy, he uses their shared history to punish her.”
