More needs to be done to protect women from do­mestic violence, says hu­man rights lawyer Sabrina Iqbal Khan. Ms Khan made the comment after helping a woman in Ba last

by nicollete chambers, lautoka

Human rights lawyer Sabrina Iqbal Khan.

More needs to be done to protect women from do­mestic violence, says hu­man rights lawyer Sabrina Iqbal Khan.

Ms Khan made the comment after helping a woman in Ba last week­end.

The Ba resident, who wished to re­main anonymous, was assisted by Ms Khan after being threatened by her former husband on January 19.

Ms Khan said the victim was for­tunate to receive help from Police officers at the Lautoka Police Sta­tion who looked into the complaint.

“I have faith in Lautoka Police officers because they have consist­ently proven themselves by placing their own lives on the line to keep our community safe,” she said

“The domestic violence taking place occurred in the presence of witnesses, there is no way the per­petrator can escape our justice sys­tem now.”

Ms Khan said she was at a shop when the incident occurred.

“I was at a local shop when the for­mer spouse of the woman entered the shop and threatened the woman uttering obscene profanity in the presence of another employee and children,” she said.

“The victim asked him to leave and calm down, however, he contin­ued to threaten and swear. I asked him to leave the shop, he walked outside and then began to approach the victim again this time with a closed fist ready to punch.

“I identified myself as an officer of the court and human rights law­yer and told him I was calling the Police, he then ran away.

“The victim sought the assistance of a Lautoka Police constable.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said the situation was regarded as a dangerous one.

“This is a very dangerous behav­iour since most murders of women in Fiji have occurred at the hands of estranged husbands or part­ners,” she said.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

Feedback: nicollete.chambers@fijisun.com.fj