The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is concerned at reports of sexual harassment within the Fiji Police Force.

The Centr’s Coordinator Shamima Ali says over the years the centre has received on average five to six complaints annually from women police officers who are alleged to have been sexually harassed by their fellow male officers and at times by their superiors.

‘Look it’s from touching, fondling to passing remarks of a sexual nature, of a very sexual insulting nature which the person to whom it was directed found it quite offensive’.

Ali says some women officers have ceased communication with the Women’s Crisis Centre because they have been told by Senior Police Officers that such cases are not to be taken out of the Force.

She adds that she has spoken to the Police Commissioner and he had assured her that were was a Sexual Harassment Policy in place.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says female officers should not fear intimidation and should report such incidents, as the Police Commissioner has already assured the complaints will be looked into.

To date there have been two reported cases of sexual harassment from women police officers.