Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali has raised concerns about a prevailing “conspiracy of silence” that protects perpetrators of abuse rather than their victims. In a recent interview with The Fiji Times, Ali highlighted how family members and religious leaders often pressure victims not to report incidents of abuse.
“We refer to it as a conspiracy of silence because everyone seems to conspire to prevent her from reporting her husband or seeking police intervention,” stated Ali. She explained that in many cases, there is an argument centered around the role of the husband as the breadwinner, which discourages victims from pursuing action against their abusers. Ali noted that even police officers sometimes ask victims if they really want to report their husbands, questioning who would then be the financial provider.
According to Ali, this pressure from family, religious figures, and other community members hampers women’s ability to seek help. Although there are various organizations aimed at supporting women and raising awareness, the conspiracy of silence remains strong within communities.
“There has been some change, as organizations now listen to the victims and support their choices. However, the conspiracy persists, especially in cases of sexual violence, such as rape and child abuse, where perpetrators are often individuals who have gained the victim’s trust, like fathers and relatives,” she explained.
Ali emphasized that society often prioritizes the protection of perpetrators over that of victims, calling for a need to shift the focus to supporting victim-survivors.