7 Dec 2017

New centre for Tongan women experiencing violence

12:27 pm on 7 December 2017

Tongan women will be offered free legal advice over domestic violence incidents at a centre due to open early next year.

domestic violence, abuse

Photo: eakmoto/123RF

The Tongan Ministry of Justice and the Pacific Community's Regional Rights Resource Team will launch the project this week to celebrate International Human Rights Day.

Research by the University of the South Pacific and the Ma'a Fafine moe Famili Centre indicates three out of four Tongan women have been physically or sexually abused during their lives.

Kaniva Tonga reported the new community advice centre would help domestic violence survivors to apply for protection orders under the Family Protection Act.