A WORKSHOP conducted by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre for community leaders and representatives in Savusavu yesterday is expected to strengthen their involvement in addressing violence against women and children.

Labasa’s FWCC advocate Teresia Raqitawa said the workshop was conducted at the provincial administrator’s office, indicating the centre’s intention to work closely with them. Ms Raqitawa said the workshop was a buildup to the International Women’s Day today.

“We have been discussing issues relating to violence against gender, children and women and on Monday we had covered the topic of gender violence and today (yesterday) we touched on the issue of rape,” she said.

“It was interesting to listen to the community leader’s perspective of the causes of rape with many saying it had to do with women’s dressing styles.

“A good thing about having these forums is that it becomes an enlightening platform where we correct myths that are widely taken by the community as the gospel truth.

“The workshop was a good learning opportunity for the four village headmen who were part of the training and they have even invited us to their villages.”

The five FWCC branches in the country recorded 161 cases of offences committed against women and children for the month of January, 2018 alone.

A statement from the centre revealed that the most common offence was domestic abuse totalling 105 cases.

This was followed by 41 other forms of offences which were committed against women and children for the same period.

The centres recorded five cases of different forms of abuse against children, five cases of child sexual abuse, a case of rape, a case of attempted rape and three sexual harassment cases for the month of January.