Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the Pacific is failing in its efforts to address the appalling incident of family violence.

Speaking to over 50 participants at the Pacific Women Parliamentary Forum this morning, Bainimarama says for too long, Fijian society – in common with other Pacific societies – has turned a blind eye to what goes on in the privacy of people’s homes.

He says what is worse, we have tolerated, even encouraged, a culture in which spouses or partners are entitled to use violence to resolve disputes or bring supposedly errant family members into line.

Bainimarama says the current level of domestic violence in our midst is woefully and unacceptably high.

“And it is a fundamental test of our values as Pacific people which, I am sad to say, we are failing. Because the current level of domestic violence in our midst is woefully, unacceptably high – It is, in fact, cause for regional shame. And we must all do a lot more to stop it."

Bainimarama stated there is no excuse whatsoever for men to treat women badly.

He has also pledged to redouble efforts in addressing the issue.

The Pacific Women Parliamentary Forum aimed to discuss ways to address the incidence of family violence in the Pacific.