I have never, nor has the Bainimarama Government ever said that victims of rape are to be blamed.
Rape is a despicable act and we must all condemn it.
Unfortunately and regrettably, this fundamental belief of mine was distorted in yesterday’s media coverage.
More unfortunate though, is the manner in which some political parties are trying to turn my comments into a political issue to win points.
Rape and victims of rape are not and should not be pawns in the aspirations of political parties and some NGOs.
Mitigating the possibility of rape requires societal change. It requires a change in attitude, in particular by men towards women, as it is mainly women who are the victims of rape and domestic violence.
It requires a change in the manner in which we view and condemn rape; it requires a change in the manner in which we support rape victims; and it requires a change in the laws and the implementation of laws.
The Bainimarama Government has significantly changed the legal framework with a view to deterring rape and domestic violence and delivering justice.
We have removed the corroboration rule which had plagued our legal system and justice system. No longer do we require an additional burden of proof in rape cases.
We have introduced the Domestic Violence Decree, something which no previous Government or Parliament was willing or able to do.
We have introduced new laws that compel professionals, like doctors, to report any suspicion of violence.
We have created national awareness and inculcated a national level of sensitization to violence against women and children through a grass roots approach in setting up violence free zones.
The Bainimarama Government’s policies speak for themselves and so does my implementation of them.
The issues of rape, domestic violence, and the protection and empowerment of our women and children are too important to be politicized. We must all work together to curb violence and empower our people.
-ENDS-