Exposure to gender-based violence in media is linked to greater tolerance
Key findings detailing the alarming rates of violence against women in the Pacific were announced at a recent workshop on gender equality held in Noumea, New Caledonia.
According to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), 64% of women in Fiji are affected by domestic violence.
SPC Deputy Director-General, Cameron Diver, believes the deeply-entrenched culture of victim-blaming needs to be analysed, and also blames the portrayals of sexual violence in the media for normalising this behaviour.
“There is evidence that exposure to sexual violence through the media is linked to greater tolerance and even approval of violence,” said Diver.