Fiji’s Police Step Up: New Training for Child Interviewing Techniques

Fiji’s police officers have recently undergone training aimed at improving their child interviewing techniques, implementing an evidence-based model that aligns with international best practices. This initiative, supported by the New Zealand Police, is part of an ongoing collaboration aimed at enhancing the Fiji Police Force’s ability to support victims of gender-based violence and child sexual abuse.

Over the course of the past two weeks, New Zealand Police trainers worked with an initial group of eight specialized child interviewers and further trained an additional nine officers from various divisions within the Fiji Police. This training equips officers to conduct interviews that yield accurate and credible information from children, which can serve as legal evidence in court and minimize the need for children to recount traumatic experiences multiple times.

An important aspect of this training emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment for young interviewees. Trainers highlighted that the initial disclosure of trauma is a crucial moment in a child’s healing process. When children feel heard and believed, it lays a foundational path toward their recovery.

The creation of a Specialist Child Interview Coordinator role and plans for ongoing training underscore Fiji’s commitment to this progressive approach. This development demonstrates the Fiji Police Force’s recognition of the critical nature of their work in protecting vulnerable children.

In a previous initiative, a specialized course focused on child interviewing trained sixteen police officers and reinforced the implementation of the Child Justice Act and the Child Care and Protection Act, emphasizing protective measures for children in Fiji. This comprehensive training effort reflects a dedication to addressing child violence and neglect, an urgent concern echoed by government statistics indicating that a significant number of children in Fiji have faced violence.

Through this collaborative partnership with New Zealand, Fiji is taking substantial strides toward creating a safer environment for its children, fostering hope for a future where they can thrive free from fear and harm.