Radio Australia: Violence against women reports escalating in Tonga

09/08/2010 16:08

Original story avaliable here

The Commander of Tonga Police, Chris Kelley, says the reported rate of violence against women in Tonga has almost quadrupled in the past ten years. These statistics were revealed this week in Nuku'alofa where a national consultation is underway to discuss changes to Tonga's laws governing violent crimes. Existing legislation does not specifically address domestic violence because it is generally inclusive under assault in the Criminal Offences Act.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speakers: Chris Kelley - Commander of Tonga Police; Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, the Director of the Tonga Women and Children's Crisis Centre