By Sainimili Magimagi in Suva
Family members keep silent on the issue of violence in Fiji and individuals continue to be the victims, according to Jonathan Veitch, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative to the South Pacific.
While raising his concern on the issue at Nasinu Gospel Primary School on Friday, he said 83 percent of children in Fiji had reported some level of violence, either in their family or in school over the past six months.
“This 83 percent rate is far too high, and it’s not acceptable,” he said.
“The problem is that when the violence is happening, there’s kind of a curtain of silence.”
Visiting UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell said although legal processes should be ensured, it was also important to acknowledge the rehabilitation process for the victim to deal with the trauma.
Speaking during a student-led press conference at Nasinu Gospel Primary School, Veitch expressed his concern about the alarming rate of violence against women and children in Fiji, whether physical or sexual.
“You (Fiji) do have high rates of violence against children,” Veitch said.
“This (83 percent rate) is far too high, and it’s not acceptable.
‘Curtain of silence’
“The problem is that when the violence is happening, there’s kind of a curtain of silence.”
He said it was common in Fiji for family members to keep silent on the issue of violence while individuals continued to be victimised.
“If that particular person has to be stopped, we have to deal with it in our village.
“So, it’s not just UNICEF and the Government; it’s also the village itself.”
Veitch said significant pillars of communities must be involved in key conversations.
“We really need to talk about it in our churches on Sundays; we have to have an honest conversation about it.
“These kids shouldn’t be hurt; they shouldn’t be punished physically.”
Multifaceted approach
He said the issue should be dealt with through a multifaceted approach.
Visiting UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell expressed similar concerns and called for a change in norms.
“It requires government leadership and good laws,” she said.
“It requires the government to come together and say that this is a priority where violence against children is unacceptable.”
She said conversations regarding the matter needed to focus on changing the norms of what was acceptable and unacceptable in a community.
“A lot of times this issue is kept in the dark and not talked about, and I think it’s very important to have those conversations.”
She said although legal processes should be ensured, it was also important to acknowledge the rehabilitation process for the victims to deal with the trauma.
She added that society played a role in condemning violence against women and ensuring they were safe in their homes and in their communities.
Russell said while most cases were directed at men, there was a need to train the mindset of young boys to change their perspective of using violence as a solving mechanism.
Sainimili Magimagi is a Fiji Times reporter. Republished with permission.
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.