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Reports have emerged of women suffering violence, including forced sexual activity, as a result of drug-related activities by their intimate partners.

Shamima Ali, coordinator of the Women’s Crisis Center in Fiji, said while the root cause of violence remains deeply rooted in patriarchy, an alarming rise in the number of cases from Nadi and Suva points to a growing link between drugs and domestic violence.

Ali revealed that some perpetrators are actively involved in drug trafficking, while others, under the influence of drugs, commit acts of violence against their partners.

(Fijian Women’s Crisis Center Coordinator Shamima Ali)

According to the FWCC coordinator, women who reported on their partners stated that the situation is out of control, with violent partners often on the loose.

“It’s all about the money. It’s either the guy is pushy and violent, and what we hear is that the police know him, and so on. Then there’s the usual: they won’t do anything because the pusher has a lot of money and a lot of influence. So there are several cases of this.”

Ali stated that women have not been spared violence by their drug-using partners.

“What women also report is sexual violence, where some drugs prevent men from ejaculating quickly, so they continue. This is marital rape. There are high rates of rape and ongoing sexual violence against women, resulting from the effects of these drugs on users.”

Minister for Women and Children Lynda Tabuya acknowledges that this is a growing concern and agrees that this is happening in the country.

“We are seeing more cases of drug-related violence against women and girls. Drug users actually commit violence against women and girls, which is another reason to worsen domestic violence. It hasn’t always been there, but it just adds to the amount of violence that has happened.”

This disturbing trend highlights the intersection of substance abuse and violence, exacerbating the risks women in vulnerable situations face. Tackling this requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthened drug control measures, increased support for survivors and community education to break cycles of abuse.