Women who say they were subjected to sexual assault by members of Fiji's military remain traumatised by their experiences after the 2006 coup.
Leaked cables from the United States Embassy have documented cases of rape and sexual assault by military personnel.
Sally Round reports.
"The Wikileak reports are unearthing events so traumatic for those involved, women's rights activists are reluctant to speak publicly. The cables from Suva to Washington allege at least one group of detainees was forced to engage in group sexual acts and the military used rape threats by phone as a method of intimidation. One woman activist spoken to by Radio New Zealand International has listed allegations involving sexual intimidation, harassment, assault and rape of men and women by military personnel, in the months after the 2006 coup. She says the alleged acts have not been reported to police for fear of retaliation and the trauma involved. Social stigma also contributes to a low rate of reporting sexual crime in Fiji. Fiji's military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga says he can't comment until he's read the reports."
