Faith Harvest Church’s Senior Pastor, Reverend Manasa Kolivuso, has emphasized the critical balance between forgiveness and the enforcement of law in cases of domestic violence. He asserts that while forgiveness is a core Christian principle, it must not overshadow the necessity for legal consequences for criminal actions. Kolivuso warned that the silence surrounding abuse only perpetuates its cycle, highlighting the importance of encouraging women and children to come forward with their stories.
The pastor pointed out that many incidents of domestic violence remain unreported due to cultural stigmas of shame and the desire to protect family reputations. “Just because a family member, you want to protect the family name, that’s why you don’t want to come up with it. The cases we have right now are only the reported ones. What about the ones that are unreported?” Kolivuso noted, stressing the alarming reality that many victims suffer in silence.
Shamima Ali, Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, echoed Kolivuso’s concerns, stating that teachings focused solely on forgiveness sometimes enable abusive behavior by discouraging victims from reporting incidents. She criticized how some religious and community leaders may inadvertently shield offenders under the guise of protection, leaving survivors in distress.
Ali advocates for the establishment of safe and supportive environments within churches and community organizations, suggesting that trained personnel should be available to assist survivors while ensuring that legal processes are allowed to function without obstruction. She emphasized that creating an environment conducive to reporting incidents of domestic violence is essential for preventing further harm and fostering safety in the community.
By shining a light on the issue and advocating for accountability, both Kolivuso and Ali contribute to a broader conversation about the need for systemic change in how domestic violence is addressed, focusing on the importance of support and legal recourse for victims. Their collaboration highlights a hopeful pathway towards greater awareness and action against domestic violence, encouraging society to break free from the shackles of silence and stigma.
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