RSIPF joins 16 Days of Activism

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Crime Prevention Department has joined other stakeholders in the 16 Days of Activism to battle Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country as from 25 November 2020.

The 16 days of activism is an annual international campaign that commences on 25th of November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and continues to 10 December for Human Rights Day. The 16 days campaign is used by organisations around the world to call for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

The theme for this year’s campaign is, “Oranging the World, Preventing and Responding to GBV in times of COVID-19 emergency.”

RSIPF Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention, Simpson Pogeava explains, “Domestic violence is a crime. If you are experiencing violence, remember it is not your fault. Everyone has a right to be safe at anywhere. Sometimes violence happen in our homes or within our families and woman and girls may stuck in the house due to the effect of the violence.”

“Rape and sexual abuse is also a serious crime punishable by law. Nobody ever ask or deserves to be raped or sexually abused. Men, woman, boys and girls we must respect each other.”

AC Pogeava adds, “Royal Solomon Island Police Force focus this year is based on preventing and responding to GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year we have seen the increase of women coming forward to report their cases and those cases are dealt with and brought to court.

“During the 16 Days of Activism, the RSIPF National Crime Prevention Department in Honiara and the crime prevention officers in the provincial centres will conduct awareness about GBV and the Family Protection Act in our communities,” says DC Pogeava