THE reopening of the Salvation Army Lautoka Family care centre will make a profound difference in the lives of women in crisis, says centre manager Lt Salome Lawe Matakaruru.
The official reopening was held on Saturday with the Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran officiating as chief guest.
Ms Matakaruru said the property had undergone a renovation in 2023 to upgrade the centre’s services.
“Today we are happy to announce that we are able to properly accommodate women, girls and children who are victims of gender-based violence, human trafficking and the homeless,” she said.
“Our services include spiritual and emotional counselling, advocacy, upskilling training and reintegration.”
Ms Matakaruru said the centre was officially opened by Colonel Hennessey in March 2000 and managed by Major Louisa Raico until 2007.
“The centre could accommodate 16–20 people maximum at that time.
“There were only 4 bedrooms, with its own kitchen, living room, outdoor laundry space and its own hall downstairs.”
Ms Matakaruru said the centre acted as a temporary safe house for women with their children escaping domestic violence, homelessness, broken families, or being referred by the courts.
It also accommodated victims of human trafficking, juveniles, and single mothers who could stay for three months max.
“The centre offered shelter, safety, training and support in reintegrating clients into society.”
Ms Matakaruru said the centre collaborated with the government, Fiji Police Force and NGOs.
The centre accommodated women from Sigatoka to Rakiraki.
“Years later, we implemented health and safety and safeguarding policies for children, which resulted in a more restrictive setting on the number of clients the centre could accommodate.”
Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran said the ministry was looking forward to working in partnership with the centre.
“To the women and children who come through these doors: you are not alone. There is support, there is love and there is a community that stands with you,” Ms Kiran said.
Our ministry will be working with the women’s forums in each district to work at community level to help build capacity and develop prevention committees in each communities and that means leadership from the ground up.
“Collectively, we can build a Fiji that has zero tolerance to violence.”
