Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho  yesterday showed he meant business when he said he would get tough on violence against women.

The Acting Police Commissioner said a man who allegedly abused his wife physically in Labasa yesterday had been arrested after he intervened.

He reiterated his warning that there was zero-tolerance on domestic violence.

“It is unacceptable and the Fiji Police Force will take immediate action against perpetrators,” he said.

His warning follows a complaint lodged by a 23-year-old woman of Wainikoro at Labasa Police Station yesterday. She claimed she was physically abused by her  husband.

A taxi driver called the Fiji Sun saying that a woman carrying her one-year-two months old son in her arm was crying under a tree in front of Labasa Hospital.

When Fiji Sun approached her she said last Saturday night her husband hit her on the face.

“At 8am yesterday morning I got into the bus came to Labasa Police Station to report because I didn’t know where to go and ask for help because it has been more than one year, my husband has been abusing and hitting me,” she said.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar had raised public awareness during their Northern tour last month to stop domestic violence and to report cases.

When Fiji Sun contacted Brigadier-General Qiliho, he immediately contacted Northern Divisional Police Commander Senior Superintendent of Police Shri Bhawan and ordered that the husband be arrested.

“I have contacted SSP Bhawan and told him to send Police officers and have the husband arrested,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“Domestic violence is unacceptable and it is a no drop case for us,” he said.

“I have said it many times we will make sure our women will be safe and men committing violence against women are immediately arrested and taken to court for justice.” Edited by Maraia Vula

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