THE Fiji Women's Crisis Centre has credited the success of its operations at its new Rakiraki branch to its outreach program.
Projects officer Selina Momoyalewa said their newly established branch, which caters for complainants beyond the Rakiraki boundary has received close to 400 clients to date.
"We established the office in Ra because prior research found that a lot of women were facing violence on various tiers and were at the same time unaware of their rights to handle such matters. We have clients from as far as Tavua," Ms Momoyalewa said.
She said the Ra office, which began operations early last month, was manned by five fully paid staff and one volunteer.
On a daily basis, the centre receives about five to six clients who turn up for counselling services on matters such as child maintenance and custody as well as domestic violence.
"Our outreach program helps raise awareness among women over their rights," she said.
The centre's outreach program involves workshops which inform participants on matters related to sexual harassment, gender?based violence and women's rights, Ms Momoyalewa said.
"Counselling is a new thing for Ra. And many women were not aware of their rights due to issues like remoteness, isolation and lack of education," she said.