Fiji Women Lawyers Association Sounds Alarm on Viber Group Harassment by Police

Concerns are mounting that community policing Viber groups in Fiji, intended to foster communication between police and residents, are being misused to harass women. The Fiji Women Lawyers Association (FWLA) has raised alarms, reporting that some officers are sending inappropriate private messages to women after obtaining their contact details from these groups.

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Unfortunately, some of those police officers have started privately messaging women in the Viber group that they’re supposed to protect. Good morning, how are you? You look so nice. Want to come and meet me? Sexually harassing them, to be quite frank.

Madonna Fong, FWLA Board Deputy Chair, stated that officers have allegedly used members' personal information to send sexually harassing messages. "Good morning, how are you? You look so nice. Want to come and meet me? Sexually harassing them, to be quite frank," Fong described the nature of the messages.

These incidents not only undermine public trust in the police but also discourage women from seeking help. Fong noted that many officers are perceived as abusers rather than protectors of the law. FWLA President Patricia Naisara shared a personal experience of feeling intimidated by officers who contacted her privately, highlighting the difficulty women face in reporting such issues when they still rely on police for emergency assistance.

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Because right now, to be frank, I believe for the most part they’re seen as abusers and a violent organization that may or may not help you, and in fact may not help you at all.

Naisara emphasized that officers often have access to sensitive personal information, including phone numbers and home addresses. She urged for a more people-centered approach in the new Police Bill, incorporating stronger safeguards for women, children, and other vulnerable community members to ensure they are protected and can trust law enforcement.

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She says many women in similar situations may feel compelled to respond politely to officers despite feeling unsafe, fearing it could affect future interactions with police if they needed help.