Private spaces for child victims part of $12.5m Japan-Fiji Project

The country's ageing police stations, many built during colonial times, will get private interview spaces specifically designed for child victims of crime, as part of a new $12.5 million (USD$5.48 million) Japan-funded project.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa welcomed the initiative, saying the upgrade was long overdue.

"Many of our police stations were built in colonial days, so there is a need to upgrade these facilities and we welcome this support," Mr Waqa told this masthead.

The private interview spaces, announced at Tuesday's drug prevention project launch in Suva, are designed to protect children from re-traumatisation, the added distress that occurs when a child victim is questioned in an open, intimidating or unsuitable environment.

Mr Waqa said Police's role extended beyond catching criminals.

"The Fiji Police Force enforces the law, but it is also our duty to prevent the commission of a crime," he said.

He said education and awareness, particularly for young people, remained a cornerstone of that prevention work, delivered through the Force's community policing programme in schools.

Mr Waqa echoed a warning from Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, saying the consequences of early drug exposure could not be ignored.

"We must not allow drugs to become a generational problem when we allow children to be exposed to it from an early age," he said.

He said every available avenue must be used to build awareness among children about the dangers of drugs.

Japan's Ambassador Hiroshi Tajima, who made the infrastructure announcement at Tuesday's launch, said the spaces were part of a broader commitment to ensure no child was re-traumatised when seeking help from the justice system.

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