PPDVP Evaluation Report - Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence ...

47. There has been an increase in the number of cases of domestic violence reported (see Annex Two),with reporting by neighbours, family members, and friends as well as victims. This is seen as anindicator of greater awareness of domestic violence as a crime rather than an increase in incidents ofdomestic violence; previously domestic violence was seen as a private family matter and notreported to police. Kiribati does not have a 'no drop' policy; levels of case withdrawal are still high,prosecutions are low, and few offenders are being held accountable which is frustrating to somestake holders.48. Respondents indicate that the professionalism of the police when dealing with domestic violencecases has improved significantly. This includes acceptance that responding to domestic violence isone of their major responsibilities, improved understanding and responses to domestic violence, andmore skill in handling domestic violence cases. NGOs report that victims now speak positively of thepolice response and its timeliness, particularly on South Tarawa. Ongoing training would allow DVSOstaff to develop expertise that will assist in dealing with the public.49. Feedback indicates that there is more dialogue between police and other service providers, andrelationships with NGOs providing support or services to victims of domestic violence have improvedsince the establishment of the DVSO. The DVSO has been involved collaboratively with the MarineTraining Centre to talk about domestic violence and sexual issues as part of the training of newrecruits. The Police sit on all the domestic violence related committees where government agenciescollaborate, including work to develop SafeNet agreements for case management of family, sexual,and domestic violence cases which define agency activities and responsibilities. There are indicationsthat these SafeNet agreements will also lead to a national domestic violence committee.so.In 2008 the Pacific Judicial Development Programme collaborated with PPDVP for workshops inKiribati. Domestic violence was one element of the workshops which aimed to develop guidelineson court procedures. More work is needed to develop effective links between PPDVP and thesecond phase of PJDP, and its work in Kiribati.51. Prioritv areas for future support include:in-service training and up-skilling of mid-management and longer-serving officers to ensure bestpractice domestic violence guidelines and practices are seamlessly incorporated into Policeoperations. Refresher training of general policeadaptation of training - with an i-Kiribati trainer and using i-Kiribati language if possibleImproving the reliability of the information on the ClMS database, with ongoing audits of thedata and monitoring of back-up and maintenance practicesimproved use of the CMlS data including tracking of domestic violence cases through toprosecution and greater analysis of trendsembedding policy into practices and processes, and setting in place Police internal mechanismsto monitor implementation and make officers accountable for failing to follow procedures.formalising a no drop policy to provide clear direction about arrest and prosecution expectationsand proceduressupport a'nd training to assist police to engage more with the communityformalising processes for sharing information on domestic violence cases across governmentagencies and with relevant NGOsEncouraging police to engage with national domestic violence mechanisms (such as SafeNet)a Encouraging police management to give priority to rnobilising effective governancearrangements for the PPDVPa Support police to engage with processes for development of legislation and national plansPPDVP Evaluation Report Page 9