The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has recorded 2000 cases of domestic violence between April and June this year.
This, according to centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali during a virtual conference on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people yesterday.
“There has been a huge escalation of violence against women,” she said.
“Talking about this from last April, in a year we normally record 2000 cases.
“But from April this year to June 27, we have attended to 2000 cases.
The centre could not conduct face to face counselling with victims of domestic violence because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ms Ali said 70 per cent of the 2000 cases involved women who were abused in their homes.
She said it was more difficult for victims because the COVID-19 restrictions made it hard for them to reach out to get help outside of their bubble because their freedom was curtailed.
This led to emotional, physical and sexual abuse escalating, she added.
“The perpetrators were already there, they continued and worsened during this pandemic.
“What we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg, there are cases that have gone unreported, victims can’t reach out because they don’t have data, funds to call and they have no freedom.”
