Domestic violence remains a pressing concern in Fiji, mirroring challenges seen in many regions worldwide. The nation has struggled with high rates of domestic and gender-based violence for an extended period. Recent research conducted by Anand Chand and Unaisi Nabobo-Baba from Fiji National University, along with Maureen Karan and David Mapuru from The University of the South Pacific, has provided new insights into how the Fiji Police Force addresses domestic violence. The study was centered around five key questions related to police awareness and practice regarding a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence.
Fiji Police Force’s acting Commissioner Juki Fond Chew granted permission for this research, which surveyed 5,000 police officers across 29 police stations on the main island of Viti Levu. The ethnic breakdown of those surveyed consisted of 70.2% indigenous Fijians (iTaukei), 26.5% Indo-Fijians, and 3.3% from other ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the overall composition of the police force. Of the 500 officers surveyed, 66.7% were male and 33.3% were female, with varying levels of professional experience.
The first area of focus was the awareness of the zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence. Results indicated that a significant majority (89%) of officers were aware of this policy, though 11% were not, raising concerns given that those officers had received training on the matter. Most of the unaware officers were young, aged 18 to 31.
When examining the implementation of the policy, the study found that only 29.3% of officers actively practiced the zero-tolerance policy when responding to domestic violence reports, highlighting a disconnect between policy awareness and actual enforcement. Among those who did not implement the policy, a significant portion were male, suggesting that entrenched patriarchal views could influence their approach. A notable number of officers also encouraged victims to resolve issues through traditional methods rather than applying the official zero-tolerance policy.
Further questioning revealed that 70.7% of officers promoted customary methods for resolving domestic violence disputes, despite the established policy. Traditional systems of reconciliation within both indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian cultures often prioritize community harmony over accountability, which poses challenges for achieving justice for victims.
Regarding suggestions for reducing domestic violence, half of the officers recommended enhanced awareness and counseling training for police, village leaders, and community members. Other strategies included fostering direct engagement with victims and leveraging community resources such as social media and safety centers.
Researchers noted that not all officers regard domestic violence as a serious issue, and many prefer traditional conflict resolution methods. This finding exposes a significant gap between the Fiji Police Force’s zero-tolerance stance and the practices of frontline officers, suggesting an informal plural policing strategy. Consequently, the report urges that new methodologies must be implemented to better protect women victims of domestic violence.
The researchers proposed several recommendations, including ensuring equal representation of women in community decision-making processes regarding domestic violence, emphasizing the need for victims to have a voice, prioritizing female police officers in case management, and enforcing compliance with established standard operating procedures for domestic violence.
This comprehensive examination of domestic violence policing in Fiji underscores the urgent need for systemic change to better protect victims and align law enforcement practices with formal policies.