A Pacific human rights group says sex workers and the LGBTQI community in Fiji are hesitant to access public services because of the violence, stigmatisation and discrimination levelled against them.
Police say a dispute over payment was behind the attack on sex worker. Photo: File picture - AFP
The revelation was made at this week's Diverse Voices and Action for Equality consultations in Lautoka.
The Pacific Rainbows Advocacy Network said its members had come to a stage where being abused is the norm.
The group's co-ordinator and LGBTQI activist, Bonita Qio, said this had been allowed to happen because the abuse occurred every day.
Qio was one of six panellists at the talanoa session and said sex workers and members of the LGBTQI community in Fiji accepted being abused was part and parcel of their daily lives.
Qio said he was well-versed with the challenges and difficulties because the PRAN looked after sex workers and the LGBTQI community in Nadi, Lautoka and Ba.
He said sex workers and members of the LGBTQI community faced stigma and discrimination and this impacted their mental health.
Suffering from these issues has built the personality that we are today, he said.
"We would be called names, people would tease us," he said. "We were told that we were the people that brought sickness to Fiji.
"It threatened our security going to shops, going to places, walking on the street.
"I'm surprised with the way members of our community coped with this kind of attitude from the public."
Qio said the group established the Daulomani Home in Lautoka to help members cope.
He said the centre housed the homeless and sex workers and they looked forward to more collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
He said the centre was created because the homeless, sex workers and the LGBTQI community being pushed out of their homes and onto the streets.
We also deserve some kind of assistance too, Qio said.
Qio wants more done to prevent violence against women and girls in Fiji.
Bonita Qio. Photo: Supplied/FemLINKpacific
The government has been accused of cherry-picking human rights - most recently its stance on same-sex marriage.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had said there would be no same-sex marriage in Fiji as long as his FijiFirst Party remained in power.
Human rights activists condemned his comments saying every Fijian is protected under the Constitution.
An LGBTQI leader, Isikeli Vulavou, said Bainimarama's comments had caused more harm than good to an already marginalised community.
This is not the first time Mr Bainimarama has caused international outrage for homophobic remarks.
In 2016, he suggested same-sex couples should move to Iceland where it's legal - labelling marriage equality "rubbish".
Fijian psychologist Selina Kuruleca told a recent Mental Health discussion that people should not judge but show action that they cared for those vulnerable in society.
Kuruleca called for a commitment to be persistent in compassion, to be genuine in your advocacy and to be mindful of the realities of those suffering to cope with mental health.
"Everyone needs to work together - from Empower Pacific, Lifeline, youth champs for mental health, medical services pacific, women's crisis centre, women's rights movement, the LGBTQI community and of course, our faith-based organisations.
We all have a part to play and we must play it, Kuruleca said.
