‘Women Wait Years to Report Abuse’

Women in Fiji take more than two years, an average of 868 days, to report abuse, according to research from the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM).

The statistic shows a dangerous delay in women seeking help, which the organisation says is part of a national crisis of violence against women.

This stark finding comes amid growing outrage following the brutal murders of two women by their partners in separate incidents over the weekend, as well as multiple reports of serious assaults.

Call to action

The FWRM has issued an impassioned call to action, “Speak up, take action to save lives and stop femicide!”

“These are not isolated cases, they are part of a devastating and persistent pattern,” FWRM executive director Nalini Singh said.

“Domestic violence is not love — it is power, control, and manipulation at its worst.”

According to FWRM, two in three women in Fiji have experienced intimate partner violence.

The organisation also highlighted the economic burden, estimating that violence against women and girls costs the nation over $300 million annually, equivalent to seven per cent of Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“How many more women and girls must be assaulted and murdered for us to say, enough is enough?”

Condemn public silence

Ms Singh did not hold back in condemning public silence around domestic violence.

“These are people’s lives! These are women who mean the world to their children and their families and the people who love them. We cannot be bystanders anymore. Why are we not speaking up against perpetrators of violence?

“Women are cowering under the violence their partners inflict, women are running out of their houses with bruises on their bodies, black eyes and bloody faces. Why are we not jumping in to help save the lives of our women while we still can?”

Ms Singh also urged communities and policymakers to move beyond simplistic advice like “just leave” — and instead focus on the systemic barriers that prevent women from reporting abuse or escaping violence safely.

“Many women simply don’t have access to a safe environment, the financial means, or trusted support systems to leave abusive relationships,” she said.

Warning

The organisation warned that viewing domestic violence as a “private family matter” only serves to perpetuate the violence.

“It is not just a ‘family matter.’ Telling ourselves ‘It’s not our business’ doesn’t just allow violence to continue — it makes us complicit. We need to speak up against perpetrators of violence. Your voice matters. Silence and indifference are not neutral acts. They are part of the problem,” Ms Singh said.

She urged the public to report suspected abuse and to support survivors. Anyone experiencing or witnessing domestic violence is encouraged to contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline for confidential assistance.

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj