From January to October this year, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Suva branch has recorded 614 cases of all forms of violence against women, girls, and children, says its co-ordinator Shamima Ali.
And of this number 419 are of domestic violence, 13 of rape, four of attempted rape, four of sexual assault, 25 child rape, 17 child sexual abuse, one case of sexual harassment and 107 cases for various legal situations and others.
Speaking during the “Thursdays In Black” Vigil on Thursday to remember victims and survivors of violence, Ms Ali said the centre attended to 346 phone counselling, of which 249 were for domestic violence.
“We can see domestic violence reporting is much better than any other,” Ms Ali said.
“We did the national survey and over 10 years ago, 2011, we have got one of the highest rates of violence in the world, 64 per cent, two in three women.”
Ms Ali said 53 women had died from domestic violence over the last 10 years .
“Another three this year, died from domestic violence and that is shocking,” Ms Ali said.
“For a small country like Fiji that means almost six women a year died because of domestic violence.”
