A womens' counselling service in the Cook Islands says financial independence and a change in attitudes are contributing to an increase in the number of domestic assaults being reported.
Punanga Tauturu says 59 cases were referred to the centre last year, compared with 36 cases in 2003.
The centre's legal rights training officer, Kairangi Samuela, says more women are now prepared to press charges, seek help for non-molestation orders or maintenance payments from husbands.
"More women now feel more empowered to actually go ahead and report it and a lot of women now hold down jobs, so that's financial security for a lot of them."
Kairangi Samuela says however that some women still perceive that there's an element of shame to reporting abuse or seeking assistance.
Police say a total of 180 domestic incidents were reported in 2004, up from 159 the previous year.
