July 2009 - Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme

Participating CountriesTongaThe PPDVP in Tonga is progressing in leaps and bounds. Theprogression of the programme has coincided with the appointmentof Commander Chris Kelley. With his full support Tonga Police Force isdealing with all domestic violence incidents with a new passion.My last deployment into Tonga was in May 2009 where InspectorTony Wakelin, Senior Sergeant Dave Ryan and I delivered a two weekdomestic violence ‘Train the Trainer’ package to 16 enthusiastic policeofficers. These officers were selected from all the Policing Districtsthroughout Tonga.A number of them have also been chosen to hold the DomesticViolence portfolio within their police stations on their return.The course went extremely well. The officers who attended not onlylearnt a lot about domestic violence but the majority of them are nowable to deliver the same package to officers in their home stations.Tonga now has an officer who holds the Domestic Violence portfolioin every station on Tongatapu and in all districts on the outer islands.This is a first for the Tonga Police. The officers who were selected totake on this role have been chosen wisely. They are all dedicated inmaking victims safe and all offenders accountable.During this deployment I was invited along with Cam Ronald to attendtwo Committee meetings. The first of these was with the TongaPolice National Domestic Violence Committee. This committee wasinstigated by Commander Kelley and includes within its members allthe Police District Commanders throughout Tonga as well as AssistantCommander Tupouniua, the Executive Sponsor of the NationalDomestic Violence Unit within Tonga, and Commander Kelley.The national committee discusses domestic violence incidents thathave occurred in each district and ensures that all incidents are beingappropriately responded to by the Tonga Police Force.The second committee was the National Domestic ViolenceCommittee. This is another initiated by Commander Kelley.It includes within its membersrepresentatives from NGO’s andGovernment Departments withinTonga. The committee purpose isto provide a national oversight ondomestic violence Police policy,legislation and Police practice.With Commander Kelley’s supportTonga Police has also adopted a “no drop” rule towards all offencesthat are related to domestic violence incidents. All offences arenow being prosecuted and are not be withdrawn without theCommander’s approval.This includes cases that involve victims recanting their complaint andnot wanting to provide evidence in court. The Tonga Police view nowis that other evidence besides the victim’s complaint can be presentedto the Court to prove the offence.There is considerable support and strong partnerships that theDomestic Violence Unit (DVU) has formed with a number of NGOswithin Tonga. Without the fantastic work that these agencies areperforming, the Domestic Violence Unit would not have progressed inthe manner in which it has.In particular the National Centre of Women and Children is workingclosely with each member of the DVU and has adopted a reciprocalreferral system of all victims reporting domestic violence abuse.This system ensures the victims receive full support. All referrals arediscussed at a weekly meeting attended by both organisations wherethey discuss, plan and action issues from each meeting. This attemptsto ensure the continual safety of each victim.In the future other agencies will also be in a position to attend andcontribute to these weekly meetings.Detective Haley RyanTonga MentorDetective Haley Ryan4Participants of the training held in Tonga.

Tongan Police Committed to addressing domestic violenceA strong commitment to reducing the impact of domestic violence in Tonga has been made bythe Tonga Police. Police Commander Chris Kelley told the recent Train the Trainer programmethat violence is not acceptable.Commander Kelley has been consistent in delivering this message on behalf of all theTonga Police, firstly at the White Ribbon Day ceremonies on 25 November 2008 and at otheropportunities since then.During the May training programme Tongan media organisations took the chance to publicisethe training and to see it in progress. The Commander held a briefing with the PPDVPProgramme Manager, Cam Ronald, and Assistant Police Commander Itu Tupouniua who is theexecutive level sponsor of the domestic violence activities in the Tonga Police. Itu describedhow the police have established coordinators in each police district and outer islands, to ensurethat a consistent approach is taken across all of the community in how the police respond tothese crimes. She emphasised the multi agency approach that was being developed, especiallywith the established NGO’s already working with women and victims in Tonga.Tongan Police Commander Chris Kelleyaddresses the graduating trainees.Programme Manager Cam Ronald outlined how the PPDVP was working with the Tonga Police to support their initiative through thedelivery of training programmes, as well as the chance to see how others worked through study tours and programmes linked withpacific countries and with New Zealand.Late last year the head of the Tonga Police Domestic Violence Unit, Detective Sergeant Seteone Poutele, joined 11 others from across thepacific to work with New Zealand Police staff, the Courts, and a range of organisations and agencies in how they responded to domesticviolence cases. These lessons have now been applied in Tonga.“There is a strong partnership between the Tonga Police and the NGO’s in Tonga, especially the Tongan Centre for Women and Children,as well as others like the Lifeline and the Salvation Army,” Cam said. “This guarantees that everyone is working together to protectfamilies and making sure that the best possible solution is found to their problems.”“The 2009 Tongan Police Strategic Plan will focus on Community Reassurance; Policing with Confidence; and OrganisationalDevelopment. One of our key activities will be our response to violence and especially domestic violence. Everyone will have a part inthis, and will be led by the coordinators completing their training today,” said Commander Kelley.Tonga Training – The VictimsAs part of the Tonga Police Domestic Violence Investigation Training theparticipants visited at the safe house operated by the Tongan Centrefor Women and Children. The house had recently been spruced up by aNew Zealand Rotary Club and the facilities now available to victims andtheir families are excellent.Possibly the main lesson was the need for the Police to be clear in theirminds that they had to put aside their personal beliefs, including thenatural desire to build and maintain families, and to enforce the law toensure that victims were protected from further harm.The course members were sincerely appreciative to “M” and the others atthe safe house.One of the victims staying at the safe house who we shall call “M” agreedto describe her case to the police staff. She sat with her counsellorand outlined her experiences over many years and the various violentoffending that had taken place. This offending led to one particularincident which had caused “M” to seek help from the Centre and to takea prosecution against her husband.“M” described the emotions, feelings, fears and experiences that shehad been through. She also spoke of the lead up to the court case,the defended hearing and the pressures that this brought to her, hercounsellor and to others that were supporting her.Police staff were able to ask questions and to discuss her situation withhelp from her counsellor and others from the centre. This led to a veryrespectful, but comprehensive debate, on many of the long held beliefsby the members and how these related to the specific case of “M”.The Executive Director Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil Likulikuk, "M" and a Tonganpolice officer at the safe house.5

Participating CountriesCook IslandsThe Domestic Violence Unit is now a standard part of policing for the Cook Island’s Police. It is situated withinthe Family Services Group which includes Youth Aid and now reports to the Operations Inspector to reinforceits front line response.Constable Pauline Rangi is now well established in her role as the O/C of the Domestic Violence Unit.She supports front line staff in domestic violence matters, maintains the domestic violencedatabase that provides vital information to the intelligence unit and will be a subject matter expertin her role. During her first week in the job Pauline was thrown in the deep end with a call fromPunanga Tauturu saying they needed some help with a New Zealand tourist domestic violenceincident. Pauline did the formal interviews, took ownership of the file and did what she expectsall front line staff should do in such incidents. She did an excellent job and proved to herselfthat the process works. It also gave her first hand experience of completing what is requiredfrom first call for service to entering into the database.Mr John RobinsonThis incident also shows the development of the relationship between Punanga Tauturu andthe Cook Island Police that they both have confidence in each other to work closely together Pauline Rangi working her way through a file.with victims to ensure they get good outcomes. The Cook Islands Northern Group of police officers underwent community policing trainingin Rarotonga which includes options for preventing and responding to domestic violence in the outer islands. The PPDVP mentor and Paulinepresented to this group as well. Future plans include maintaining the standards developed, increasing community awareness of the issues bothon Rarotonga and the outer islands and establishing a government response to the consequences of this crime.Mr John RobinsonCook Islands MentorSamoaParticipating CountriesNine mentor deployments have occurred in Samoa since the inception of the Pacific Prevention of DomesticViolence Programme. Within that time the Ministry of Police & Prison Services Domestic Violence Team or‘Vaega O Sauaa I Totonu O Agia’ has also grown and now accommodates nine full time officers in one of theadjoining buildings behind Apia’s main station.While the team is focusing on the recording and appropriate resolutionsof matters of domestic violence, the major focus in Samoa this year willbe centred on whether or not the ‘Family Safety Bill’ currently in draftformat, is passed in Parliament later this year.Inspector Karen SmithSamoa is now able to provide at least two officers on 24-hour coveragefor domestic violence matters. The proactive arm of the team is alsounder development to ensure consistent delivery of all domestic violencetraining to colleagues in general policing and specialised areas.All new recruits receive domestic violence training The DV unit deliversawareness training around domestic violence in conjunction withcommunity policing and or NGO’s to the villages and schools in Samoa.The biggest challenge for the members of the Domestic Violence Team stillremains in terms of meeting the needs and expectations of the community.Inspector Karen SmithSamoa Mentor6Pictured from left to right: Constable Misipele, Constable Mulivai,Corporal Moefetu, Constable Usufono, Constable Johnny, Constable Feagai,Constable Vaalele & Constable Iosefatu (Absent: Constable Fono).

Participating CountriesKiribatiI was last in Kiribati in February and as is usual I was pleased to returnand catch up with colleagues and friends.Thet first thing that struck me was the energy and excitementin addressing family violence shown by the team at the FamilyAssistance and Sexual Offences Unit (the FASO). The office had a smartand professional appearance and there was a determination from theteam to involve themselves in cases and issues facing the communityaround domestic violence.A big thank you to Sergeant Okky and her team. I know that KimBloomfield had some very favourable comments to make about thespeed with which the team learnt the new reporting system.required to return with an oval ball.Given the coral sand I suspect tacklerugby is going to struggle. In theheat touch rugby is challengingenough – especially for this chap.One of the key events was aSenior Sergeant James Soleworkshop for middle managerswhere we worked on the beginnings of a strategic plan for the KPS. Itwas a process I thoroughly enjoyed. We took the step of introducingour ideas and learnings from police services from New Zealand, otherSouth Pacific countries and the rest of the world. The choice was thenleft to the workshop to decide if they wanted or needed a strategicplan. They endorsed the need and we began a process of healthydebate and discussion.The recent launch of theGender Based Violence andChild Abuse survey resultshas produced a desireamongst the communityand in particular the Policeto address this importantsocial issue. The supportand backing of ActingCommissioner Iotita isappreciated by the mentorand PPDVP and hasprovided the necessaryleadership to move forward.We know this is a sensitive issue to discuss and is easily left to beconsidered ‘family business.’ We also know that no citizen of Kiribatishould live a life of fear or abuse – particularly in their own home.Acting Commissioner Iotita put it very well when he spoke to theNCOs who attended the workshop to increase their learning andunderstanding of investigating domestic violence by referring to thesurvey. “We must be worried and concerned, given the core functionsof the Police are preserving peace, law and order. That includes thePolice’s obligation to ensure that the people are safe and secure bothat home and in the street.”The O/C Tarawa wore a white ribbon to the same ceremony and spokeof its significance to policing.The first week saw me working with the NCOs at a workshop at thePolice Training School. We had some excellent discussions aroundleadership and responsibilities for NCOs to role model the correctbehaviours in all areas of their working and home life. The feedbackwas positive and I look forward to them working alongside FASO andCommunity Policing to address Domestic Violence in Tarawa and theOuter Islands.Sergeant Jim Sole with Kiribati Police members who attended the workshopWe took time out to play the ‘Frigates’ v ‘Kiwi’s’ soccer match - whichturned into a game of touch rugby. They have the bug now and I amFor me the highlight was thedevelopment of the KPS Vision.It linked in key elements of thosematters that are so important toKiribati. These were brainstormedby the participants. I believe theunanimous feel of the group wasthat they had developed a ‘vision’they were justifiably proud of.VisionCurrent KPS Vision: A modern,proactive and responsive police agency providing quality policeservices to the community of I Kiribati.KPS Domestic Violence Strategy Vision: Kiribati homes free of domesticviolence where families are happy, healthy, prosperous, living in peaceand are supportive of each other and their communities.Te Utu ae kakukurei bon mwengan te I-Kiribati ae akea te kiriwe iai, emarurung raoi ba e boutokaaki iai te tangira, te aroaro ma te reitaki aetamaroa iroura n tatabemaniira nako ma te botan aomata inanon TeMauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa.(English Translation): Happy family is the home of I Kiribati, free ofviolence, healthy supported by love, good relationships with eachother, within the community through health peace and prosperity.Acting Commissioner Iotita Kuarawete and Sergeant Okoro Iuka wereinvited to attend as observers, at the Regional Advisory Committee(RAC) meeting held in Fiji.AC Kuarawete gave a very good presentation on the state of theKiribati Police in general and an overview of all statistics downloadedfrom the CMIS database on Domestic Violence Incident reports thatthe FASO unit has dealt with since being set up in 2006.Sergeant Jim SoleKiribati Mentor7

Participating CountriesVanuatuVanuatu’s current population of around 223,000, of whom around75-80% live in the outlying villages and islands and rest in thecapital centre of Port Vila makes for a very interesting outlook onmentoring Police.The primary focus is on working alongside the Port Vila Central Policeand seeing any positive work ‘mushroom’ from this core approach,”says Senior Sergeant Alan McGlade.This was Alan’s second deployment to the country. “The challengesfacing Vanuatu have some great potential and this gives me plenty ofopportunity to provide guidance, assistance and advice.”One of the key issues is the introduction of the new Family ProtectionAct 2009. This piece of legislation has taken around ten years to finallymake its way into law and the very traditional values held by many ofthe population has resulted in some strong opposition to the act.The whole approach to this legislation is very similar to the responseto the New Zealand “Crimes (Substituted Section 59) AmendmentAct 2007” (Anti-smacking legislation), and it has generated significantand fairly ‘healthy’ debate around the whole topic of abuse. Althoughthe legislation is now ‘cemented’ the actual enforcement of the lawis a whole new challenge and there is much to do to make this veryvaluable piece of legislation work Some great opportunities existto provide good quality training for Police, judicial agencies andcommunity groups over the coming months.The Family Protection Unit currently consists of a Detective SeniorSergeant Davis Saravanu, Detective Sergeant Jeanne Thomasand Detective Redford David. One of the most exciting projectscurrently in progress is the development of the new Police FamilyProtection Unit office on the CID floor of the Port Vila Police station.All the necessary planning has taken place and as soon as the PoliceCommissioner has signed off our MOU we will be in a position to getstarted on the new office renovations.The current Family Protection Unit(FPU) is similar to NZ Child and AdultSexual Abuse Teams in that theycome under the CID and their focusis the investigation of all sexualabuse cases. With the involvement ofthe PPDVP we will be creating a newDomestic Violence InvestigationTeam who will become part of the current FPU. The investigationteams are excited and very positive about the developments with thegroup. They will benefit from working alongside NZ Police who havealready developed systems and processes in this very area and canprovide some timely and valuable guidance and training in this field.As a result of a recent crime prevention conference Police havelaunched a new National Crime Prevention Committee led bySuperintendent Daniel Rakau and guided by the Capacity BuildingProject. This committee is made up of government and nongovernmentagencies and meets regularly to look at all aspectsof crime prevention initiatives and a wide range of systems andprocesses where improvements could be made. It is early days for thecommittee but again this has great potential.This year will see the retirement of the current Police Commissionerand a new senior officer take his place. On behalf of NZ Police, Alanpassed his best wishes to the Commissioner on his retirement aftermany years of commitment to the Police.“Aside from the project work and daily challenges that we work withoverseas this is such a great opportunity for me to visit and be partof such a different culture and to be welcomed into the country toexperience Policing in a completely different environment.”.Senior Sergeant Alan McGladeVanuatu MentorSenior Sergeant Alan McGladeNational Crime Prevention Coordinators, Superintendent Daniel Rakau andothers.The Family Protection team.8

Link countriesSolomon IslandsIn February this year PPDVP’s Reserve mentor, Inspector Dave Ryan travelled to Honiara, and was met by theConstable Merrin Dancy (Minnie) who is currently deployed in Solomon Islands through RAMSI. Merrin holdsthe portfolio of the PPDVP advisor with the Solomon Islands Police Force.Constable Dancy who is deployed in this role for a year has established some excellent relationships with theChristian Care Centre, NGO’s and other groups involved with DV Prevention. She is a well respected member ofthe Domestic Violence Prevention group in Honiara.Inspector Dave RyanThe Solomon Islands Police Commissioner has appointed severalDomestic Violence Coordinators in each of the provinces. Theseare part time positions and during the next 12 months they willbe assisted in building a local action plan to suit their local needs.Inspector Ryan attended the training for the Domestic ViolenceCoordinators undertaken by Staff Sergeant Tuhaika Temangutaua(Morris) and Sergeant Stanley Riolo of the Royal Solomon IslandPolice (RSIP), on Domestic Violence Investigation. This trainingwas based on scenarios of attending incidents and gatheringevidence as part of the investigation.Inspector Ryan also met with the Prison Chaplain Father Jack totrial a Men’s Counselling Program within the prisons.Inspector Dave RyanReserve MentorRoyal Solomon Islands Police members complete their training as Domestic ViolenceCoordinators.Link countriesNauruNauru Police have taken a lead in developing a local family protection team. Senior Sergeant Sheeva Cookfrom the Nauru Police joined the PPDVP Investigative study tour in Auckland in late 2008 where she observedexamples of various initiatives in working with NGO’s and others to protect families.On her return to Nauru she identified the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to developa safe house and procedures to support victims and their families. The Ministry comprises full time workersas well volunteers and Sheeva has been able to bring three of the volunteers to join her initiative. The Nauruhospital also participates with a worker from there who is trained as acounsellor, joining the team. The Nauru Government has assisted bymaking premises available.Inspector Sue O’NeilIn the first four months of 2009 the house had been used on fouroccasions, usually for just a few days. This is all achieved on a largelyvoluntary basis.PPDVP have provided assistance to the Nauru Police through initialtraining in Auckland and Tonga and the study tour in Auckland. There isstrong support for action on domestic violence at both the Governmentand the community level. Later this year reserve mentor Sue O’Neil willspend time in Nauru working alongside Sheeva and others from theNauru Police on the investigative processes around domestic violence.Members of the Nauru family violence team in the safe house.Nauru will also receive support from the RRRT Changing Laws: Protecting Women programme with a part time worker to drive this initiative.Inspector Sue O’NeilReserve Mentor9

Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT)Changing Laws: Protecting WomenA new and powerful agent for change has launched in the region toprovide the impetus for the development of legislation to protectfamilies. It also pushes for a change in attitudes in the community,and in Governments, to reduce the harm from violence within families.The Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) has been active inthe region for many years with programmes to train in-countryrepresentatives as "para legals" to provide front line legal advice;training programmes for lawyers and the Judiciary; as an expertresource on legalisation on families, violence and human rights;and to be an advocate for change. The RRRT is a key member ofthe Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) to the PPDVP.Like many organisations across the pacific, the RRRT has struggledto secure funds for regionalprogrammes, as the demandfor these funds across theworld is immense. Whenthe problems of the Pacificare matched against thosein the rest of the world, thecompetition becomes all themore intense.The RRRT has long seen theneed for comprehensive andconsistent legislation in thePacific around Family Lawincluding domestic violenceand the protection of thevulnerable, when families areunder stress and violence.In 2008 they made asubmission to the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actionto Eliminate Violence Against Women. Sandra Bernklau, who is theRRRT Programme Manager based in Suva, led the application process.While the proposal always seemed essential for the Pacific, it was notan easy process to meet the international criteria for it to be a success.Sandra described the problems in understanding the great distancesbetween countries and the high costs of air travel in the Pacific whencommittee members based in Europe are accustomed to jumping ona train and travelling between countries and home again, just for aone-day meeting.Simply describing the programme is a task in itself. "Changing Laws:Protecting Women, lobbying for legislation change in violence againstwomen / family law in order to enhance protection for women andgirls in six pacific island countries" is something of mouthful. Sandrarefers to it as the "Changing Laws: Protecting Women" programme butin order to meet the criteria the rather comprehensive title emerged.Late last year they received the green light for a three-yearprogramme.RRRT hosted a "regional consultation" in Nadi in early May wherean assessment of the current legislation was made. Each countrydescribed their own situation and a gap analysis revealed the principalareas where work is needed.The process in the development of legislation in Vanuatu, and thedrafting of legislation in Fiji, were key lessons for the workshop.The "consultation" led to agreement on the specific work areas ineach country. The programme will provide in-country support witheither full time or part time coordinators depending on the level ofactivity in the country.Workshop delegates discuss options for "Changing Laws: Protecting Women" at theNadi workshop held in April 2009.National committees to guide and support the developments, and toeffect change at a government and policy level, as well as a social andcommunity level, were agreed.Wherever possible thesecommittees will join or build onthe structures already initiatedby the PPDVP.Advertisements for the incountrypositions have beenplaced and the country workprogrammes will start midthis year.The "consultation workshop"emphasised the importanceof changes that are locallysupported, locally led, andsustained by expert adviceand experience.The programme will use existing legislation and processes as startpoints wherever it can as it strives to introduce comprehensive FamilyLaw to the best international standards in each country.From the PPDVP perspective, the programme is a natural ally. Themain countries for delivery of this programme are matched againstthe PPDVP "Participating Countries". The secondary stream is matchedto the "Linked Countries" for the PPDVP. The overall objectives ofthe RRRT Programme are aligned to two of the key objectives of thePPDVP in developing domestic violence legislation and policy in eachcountry.Further information can be obtained from Gina Houng Lee at RRRT(679) 330 5582 and the RRRT web site at www.rrrt.org.10

MicronesiaOn 25 May this year Cam Ronald and Tony Wakelin from the PPDVP Programme started a 20-day trip throughMicronesia visiting Guam, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Majuro in the Marshall Islands.The trip was to establish what was happening in respect to Domestic / Family Violence in those countries andto assess what assistance the PPDVP programme could offer the Police / Public Safety departments.They were warmly welcomed in each country. Meetings were held with Police Commissioners, Public SafetyDirectors, Police staff, Attorney’s General, Judges, Women’s advocate groups and other stakeholders that workwith Domestic Violence cases. Each meeting was informative and lots of ideas were discussed and sharedwhich were then transferred into extensive notes.Inspector Tony WakelinFunding is in place by NZAID for the PPDVP programme to provide assistance to the Micronesia police services. The exact response is yet to bedecided but it may include providing training of Police staff, assisting with the set up of Police Domestic Violence Coordinators, out of countrytraining and community awareness programmes. It is clear that what may work in one place may require a different approach in another.Work has started in assessing the information and documentation that was gathered and assistance has already been given to some NGOs inthe form of linking them up with experts throughout the Pacific. Tony Wakelin has begun working on this project and will be putting togethera proposal to be considered by the PPDVP Programme Manager and the Chiefs of Police in Micronesia. Implementation of this will start in thesecond half of 2009.Inspector Tony WakelinMembers of Guam PD, proudly displaying the PICP Declaration.Palau Bureau of Public Safety Director and Executive Officer.Micronesia TrainingPPDVP had a half day discussing domestic violenceissues with 47 police trainees from across theFederated States of Micronesia, as part of a fivemonth recruit training programme.The trainees had a mix of experience and service -some were new entrants while others hadbeen police members for more than ten years.This opportunity for the PPDVP was a great sessionof learning, discussion, and challenging of beliefs.Trainee police from Federated States of Micronesia.11