14 Dec 2015

Fiji military chief warns of zero tolerance for domestic violence

2:17 pm on 14 December 2015

Fiji's acting military commander says the country's military has joined a campaign of zero tolerance for violence against women.

According to the Fiji Sun, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto has warned members of the force they would be sacked if they abused their wives or girlfriends.

Fiji Military pass out parade.

Fiji Military pass out parade. Photo: Fiji Government

He was speaking at the military's end of year church service at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

Rear Admiral Naupoto says Fiji has a sad record of abuse of women and while everyone should be making an individual stand against it, the military is also doing so as an institution.

The Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama also issued a call at the weekend to unite against domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mr Bainimarama was speaking at a church gathering for Fiji's Corrections Service.

He says there's zero tolerance in Fiji's legal system for such crimes, but it was also necessary to create a culture which condemned domestic violence and sexual assault.