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

Cook Islands:18. Evidence from the Baseline Update, respondents to the current evaluation, and PPDVP reporting areconsistent in the view that progress has been made in changing police knowledge, attitudes andpractices in relation to domestic violence, including new procedures and systems for responding todomestic violence. A Domestic Violence Unit has been set up, and the DVU Coordinator monitorsthe new procedures and follows up domestic violence complaints. A database (CMIS) has been setup for all police work, including recording and tracking domestic violence reports, and data isanalysed by the Police Intel Unit. An increase in reporting of domestic violence incidents has beenrecorded. This is seen as an indication of greater public trust in Police's response to domesticviolence.19. There are indications that the partnerships that Police currently has with government agencies andNGOs are working well. This is a marked turnaround since the beginning of the PPDVP, evidenced inthe Baseline Survey and Baseline Update reports. Police work closely with NGOs to promote WhiteRibbon Day, and on media campaigns to raise awareness that domestic violence is not OK; andpolice have been actively involved with other community awareness activities.Kiribati:20. Kiribati Police Service (KPS) has a Domestic Violence Policy and Business Plan, as part of the overallGovernment response to Gender-Based Violence. A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences (DVSO)Unit has been established with staff specifically assigned to the unit; and all South Tarawa stationsare staffed with one DVSO officer. A written protocol and standard operating procedures for dealingwith domestic violence have been developed, and all recruits receive training around domesticviolence as pert of the curriculum.21. Data collection and recording of domestic violence reporting has improved with the introduction ofCMIS. Kiribati does not have a 'no drop' policy; levels of case withdrawal are still high, prosecutionsare low, and few offenders are being held accountable which is frustrating to some stakeholderThere has been an increase in the number of cases of domestic violence reported, which is seen asan indicator of greater awareness of domestic violence as a crime. Respondents indicate that theprofessionalism of the police when dealing with domestic violence cases has improved significantly,there is more dialogue between police and other service providers, and relationships with NGOsproviding support or services to victims of domestic violence have improved.Samoa:22. A Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) operates 24 hours each day in Apia, and there are domestic violencetrained staff in four outposts. Domestic violence training, provided by the Domestic Violence Unit, isincluded in the training curriculum for recruits. Some training has been provided to general policingcolleagues. Samoa Police have a Domestic Violence Strategy and domestic violence work plan,which is in the desk File for the DVU; domestic violence reporting mechanisms and practices havebeen established. The CMIS database is used for recording domestic violence reports, and two DVUstaff are trained to enter and update information.23. Relationships between Police and other stakeholders have improved. There is a more effectiveworking partnership; a collective MOU between Police and two of the domestic violence responseNGOs; and regular casework meetings, increased information sharing, and a referral systembetween Police and NGOs.Tonaa:24. There is a very strong commitment by the current Police Commissioner, and a number of changesinstituted. The Police Strategic Plan features domestic violence in two results areas and thePPDVP Evaluation ReportPage iv