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The Ministry of Women recognizes that poverty is one of the major root causes of Domestic Violence.

This was revealed by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni at the launching of the “Integrating Responses to Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence: Stop the Madness”, a symposium organized by the Fiji Police Force and the ministry.

“There can be far-reaching financial, social, health and psychological consequences. The impact of violence also have indirect costs including the costs to the nation on bringing perpetrators to justice and the costs of medical treatment for injured victims,” Dr Luveni said.

“I would like to thank the Police Commissioner and the organizing committee for inviting me to open this very important Symposium – there is no better way to progress on our efforts to address domestic violence and sexual offences than to put the issue on the table and have intensive consultation with all stakeholders.

“We are aware that no single society is immune to Sexual offences and Domestic Violence which is as poisonous as a deadly virus plaguing our society today.”

Dr Luveni shed light on the number of victims of domestic violence and sexual offences being reported to Police which has been accelerated due to partnerships Police has forged with entities such as the Ministry

“Through this Symposium, we not only seek to educate but also create awareness among our core partners on the existing strategies and capabilities to better deal with the sexual offences and domestic violence. Simultaneously, it will also be an opportunity to learn and identify ways of integrating these responses and resources towards effectively preventing these offences.”

The Fiji Police has invited NGOs, religious groups, members of the academic sector and relevant ministries and service providers who deal with sexual offences, its victims and offenders to the one day symposium.

The Fiji Police Force will derive its guidelines to form a more effective action plan to counter this problem from information gathered from the workshop.