Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya has called on police to treat women with dignity and respect.
In response to a statement by femLINKpacific producer Alumita Davelevu — that police failed to record the statement of an abused woman — Ms Tabuya said the biggest challenge for stakeholders was prioritising the rights of women.
Ms Tabuya said the police must ensure due process was followed when women lodged complaints of abuse or violence.
“Just like any person that walks through a police station or post, women should be interviewed and their statements taken,” she said.
“When women come forward to make complaints, they are already struggling. They fear what their family and in-laws will say and do.
“Police officers need to keep in mind there is also a no-drop policy in place.”
The minister said that with the no-drop policy, a victim could not withdraw a case once a report was lodged, and they could not advise women to go back home and resolve matters with their partner.
Ms Tabuya added that women should lodge complaints with the ministry if police officers did not take their statements.
“I have yet to receive any complaint from these women’s organisations,” she said.
“I would like to invite them to write their complaints to the ministry and state what these women are going through in Labasa. In that way, I can actually follow up or deal with it with my counterpart. It is not right that they are not recording statements.”
In addition, Ms Tabuya said police needed to ensure women who reported cases of abuse and violence were medically examined and a psychological report taken in case they suffered from mental health issues as some women also faced emotional abuse.
