The Tonga police commissioner, Superintendent Grant O'Fee, says it's hoped a new initiative will make a large and positive impact on domestic violence victims.
A joint effort between the Tonga police and the Women and Children Crisis Centre has created a service which gives victims access to police, medical and counselling services all in the one building.
Superintendent Grant O'Fee says the police have a long way to go in terms of changing their own attitudes towards domestic violence, and not all women complainants are treated appropriately.
He says he expects the 'one-stop-shop' crisis service will have a big positive impact on victims.
"The benefit of this is, that when a woman goes in to the collective centre there, she will get counselling, in January they will offer medical attention as well, and then they can go into a private room and speak to a police woman, who will, if they wish to complain, will take the complaint from her. So, offers women a safe place where they will be treated with dignity and respect, which regrettably doesn't always happen at police stations."
Grant O'Fee says the police officer chosen to be stationed at the Women's Crisis Centre, Officer Paea Takau, is honest and enthusiastic about the position.
