Safe waiting areas planned for survivors, disabled in urban courts

Survivors of violence and persons with disabilities will soon have dedicated safe waiting areas in five urban courts as part of urgent reforms to address barriers faced by vulnerable Fijians accessing justice.

The initiative, outlined in the Reform Roadmap for Fiji's Law and Justice Sector 2025-2029, targets systemic exclusion that has long plagued the country's justice system.

Courts in Suva, Lautoka, Labasa, Nadi and Ba are set to receive infrastructure upgrades by late 2026, including designated victim and survivor waiting rooms.

The reforms respond to findings that women, particularly survivors of sexual violence, currently lack safe, dedicated spaces while waiting for court proceedings.

"Survivors of sexual violence lack safe, dedicated court waiting areas, while those with disabilities confront inaccessible facilities and limited legal representation," the Final Report states.

Currently, survivors often wait in the same areas as alleged offenders, creating traumatic situations that discourage many from pursuing legal action.

The report reveals that physical constraints, digital exclusion and procedural inconsistencies contribute to delays and unequal outcomes for women and persons with disabilities.

Additional measures include developing secure reporting spaces with police by mid-2027, ensuring privacy and reinforcing victim support frameworks.

Judges will also receive training on trauma-informed standard operating procedures by early 2028.

The Ministry of Justice is leading the reforms in partnership with the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.

A separate study, "Improving Fijian Women's Access to Justice," documented how police, prosecutors, courts and legal aid services often fall short in meeting women's unique needs.

The reforms aim to transform justice institutions into inclusive, trauma-informed and gender-responsive systems accessible to all Fijians.

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj