900 new cases of violence against women and children reported to FWCC this year

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre received around 900 new cases of violence against women and children from January to November this year.

Coordinator Shamima Ali says there 80 rape cases where many of them were referrals from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for support and victim impact statements.

Ali says of these 80 cases of rape, 50 cases were of sexual abuse against children, 8 cases of sexual harassment and other cases such as molestation.

She says it is sad to see that in almost 95% of the rape cases, the perpetrator is known to the survivor.

Ali adds there has been a huge spike since COVID-19.