FWCC holds awareness session for 17 Sigatoka police officers

25 Feb, 2025

Seventeen police officers in Sigatoka completed a one-day awareness session on Tuesday (24th February 2025) on violence against women and girls, gender, survivor-centered approaches to responding to violence against women and girls, and referral pathways for survivors.

Senior Counsellor Advocate and Community Educator Ilisapeci Maria says there was open acknowledgment from police officers about their lack of understanding about the issue.

She says after the session many police officers pledged to treat survivors with respect and not to do further harm when survivors access police services.

Maria adds the police officers were grateful to know that FWCC was always available to assist with survivors especially through the referral pathway.  

Fifteen out of the 17 participants were women.

FWCC looks forward to more invitations from the Fiji Police Force for similar awareness sessions.

We are focused on supporting the Fiji Police Force to develop best practice in responding to violence against women, girls and children to improve services and processes when responding to survivors.

Since its establishment in 1984, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has been raising awareness on violence against women as a human rights violation.

This is done through its extensive community education program and community awareness and training for government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare, the Police, and corporate entities.

This is also in line with the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.

A comprehensive and holistic training module has been developed by FWCC and is used in various training packages locally and regionally with relevant adaptations.

This program is supported by the Australian Government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

–      Ends