The Fiji Police Force has confirmed the highest number of abuse cases reported between 2004 to 2009 was between husbands and wives.

The number of cases stood at 71% while the abuse cases between boyfriends and girlfriends stood at 18%.

In total, 2,997 abuse cases were reported, the highest recorded in 2005 with 640 cases and the lowest number of cases was received in 2008, with 264.

Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni while officially launching the “16 days of Activism on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children” today, stressed that eradicating domestic violence should be a national responsibility.