1st responders seminar

‘No place for domestic violence and sexual abuse in Fiji’

WE should be united in the fight against domestic violence to eradicate it, says the head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.

“Domestic abuse is one of the most pressing human security issues facing Pacific Island nations and in Fiji, it is grossly rampant,” he said.

“It should be a collaborative effort to speak out and end domestic violence and sexual abuse. It is through forums such as these that awareness is created and the message should be loud and clear that there is no place for domestic violence and sexual abuse in Fiji.”

Archbishop Chong said the Catholic Church of Fiji, through its Women Ministry of Caritas Archdiocese of Suva held a three-day workshop titled “First respondents to domestic violence and sexual abuse”.

The event theme was “Listening to cries of women and children”and was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall in Lautoka.

He said the aim of the workshop was to establish and train community first responders to sexual and domestic violence.

Archbishop Chong said the workshop enabled participants to establish first responders team and support groups within their respective communities.

Representatives from Catholic Parish teams, other church teams, civil society organisations like Soroptimist International, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and House of Sarah were part of the workshop.

A total of 60 participants took part in the workshop which ended on Thursday.