The latest data from the Fiji Police Force indicates a troubling trend in child abuse and domestic violence, with the Western Division being identified as the area with the highest rates. During the reopening of the Salvation Army Family Care Centre in Lautoka, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, revealed that this division accounts for approximately 37 to 40 percent of all reported cases of domestic violence against women and around 35 percent of cases of violence against children over the past five years.
In 2020, of the 2,692 victims reported, 1,103 were from the Western Division, representing 40 percent of cases. The following year, this figure remained significant, with 970 out of 2,617 cases reported in the same area in 2024, translating to 37 percent. In contrast, the Eastern Division reported about 17 to 18 percent of cases, the Northern Division around 11 percent, and only 3.3 percent from the Central Division.
Ms. Kiran emphasized the importance of community engagement in addressing these distressing statistics. This alarming data reflects the struggles of over 5,000 families in the Western Division and highlights the necessity for initiatives like the Lautoka Family Care Centre, which aids those affected by family violence. She also pointed out the challenges they face, particularly in rebuilding trust among victims and their loved ones, underscoring the profound impact of trauma on children caught in these situations.
There is a growing need for critical analysis and active engagement from elders, community leaders, and family members to flip these statistics around. The Minister highlighted the urgent need to not only address reported cases but also to consider the many unreported instances of family violence and child abuse that go unnoticed.
Building on previous discussions about child safety and the rising statistics of abuse in the nation, it’s evident that substantial efforts are being made by the Ministry to foster a safer environment for children. The Ministry’s ongoing initiatives aimed at educating parents about effective parenting techniques and promoting community awareness about violence against children are steps toward breaking the cycle of violence.
Collectively, with community support and proactive measures, there lies hope for a positive shift in these statistics, contributing to a future where every child in Fiji can grow up free from violence and abuse.
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