TEN Fijian women who were victims of domestic violence have passed on from January to October this year.
Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Minister Inia Seruiratu described the figures as disturbing.
Officiating at the 02/19 Fiji Police Force basic recruit course passing-out parade on Friday, Mr Seruiratu said he was gravely concerned about crimes committed against women and children.
Mr Seruiratu urged officers to strengthen their community policing initiatives involving non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and community groups as these were moral crimes.
As such, Mr Seruiratu said, police needed everyone’s support if they were to prevent more innocent women and children from becoming victims of domestic violence.
“It may seem like a daunting task, but you are in an institution that people will expect more from you, so you need to be more innovative and less predictable with your strategies,” he said.
“Women have lost their lives at the hands of their partners and any loss is not only felt by the victim’s family but also the nation.
While we have mourned with the families of the ten women who lost their lives, we owe it to them to be more vigorous in our approach and gather as much support as possible to enable our women and children to feel safe in their own homes and communities.”
