Bridging the Gaps: Strengthening Civil Agency Collaboration to Combat Gender Based Violence in Fiji

As most research on violence against women is undertaken in the global north, there is a significant shortfall of knowledge about the culturally specific experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) in countries of the global south, particularly in the Pacific region, where prevalence rates are twice the global average (Carrington et al, 2025a). This master’s thesis will address this gap by undertaking an original study into how inter-agency cooperation, coordination and collaboration functions across community, civil, government, non-government and policing agencies in response to survivors of GBV in Fiji. This master’s research project was nested within a larger project in Fiji ‘Improving the Policing of Gender Violence in the Global South’ funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (ARC DP) (Carrington et al, 2025b). Specifically, this thesis aimed to examine the nature, effectiveness and gaps in multi-stakeholder collaborations in response to victims and survivors of GBV. The three research questions were: 1. Why and how do agencies cooperate, coordinate and collaborate with Fiji Police in responding to GBV? 2. To what extent are agencies equipped to work together to prevent and respond to GBV? 3. What key challenges are associated with inter-agency cooperation, coordination and collaboration in addressing GBV? Data collection was undertaken in two phases with the research team conducting two field research trips to Fiji in September 2023 and August 2024 and included semi-structured interviews, document and policy analysis. Participants were recruited across four regions of Fiji. Participants outside Suva were recruited from across the three other regions with the assistance of police and agencies that support victims of domestic violence. A total of 58 interviews were undertaken: 30 with police officers; 24 were from civil agencies, non-government organisations and international organisations; four were categorised as ‘justice leaders’, occupying senior executive positions as international justice advisors, magistrates and prosecutors. To better explain the nature of inter-agency interaction in addressing GBV in Fiji, the data were analysed through lenses drawn from island criminology, southern criminology and conceptualisations of what constitutes collaboration, as compared to coordination and cooperation. iii The findings of this study indicate that the extent of interagency collaboration in responding to gender-based violence in Fiji is shaped by contextual factors such as geographical location, resource limitations, remote areas, the strength of professional networks and relationships among agencies and the Fijian communities, and the effectiveness or otherwise of overlapping state-based and customary justice. The thesis found that the complex interplay between customary norms and state-based justice systems aimed at curbing GBV is especially challenging in Fiji. Maintaining cultural respect while addressing unconscious bias within justice institutions is a key challenge in a plural society governed by customary norms and state laws. Entrenched gender roles and expectations often marginalise women, limiting their participation and leadership, particularly in Villages and senior roles within the Fiji Police, hindering effective collaborations. The Fiji Police Force commonly serves as the first point of contact for victims of GBV and plays a central role in initiating the response process. The police work closely with key service providers, including Medical Services Pacific (MSP), Empower Pacific, Sexual Offences Unit (SOU), and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC). Collaboration enables agencies to share expertise and resources to support survivors. However, collaboration is not always possible at the community level, as cultural protocols require explicit permission from traditional leaders, which is not always forthcoming. The current state of collaboration among various agencies, such as governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and community groups, reveals numerous inefficiencies and gaps in communication and coordination. More effective collaboration would enhance coordinated support for victims and survivors of GBV. The study concludes by signposting some promising approaches as a pathway forward.