Care, share and act! We all have a responsibility to break the cycle of violence and must signal that “enough is enough”, Tonga's Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell, said this morning at a program to mark White Ribbon Day, an international campaign by men who are speaking out to end violence against women and girls.

Police Commissioner Caldwell said domestic violence is a crime and the law will be enforced consistently by police.

A breakfast event for White Ribbon Day was attended by police officers, advisors and their families, representatives from the centres providing support for victims of domestic violence, and others at Digicel Square in the Central Business District.

White Ribbon Day is one day of the year where communities take time to reflect on domestic violence in our country and the destructive effect it has on women, children and families.

“We take time to reflect on what has been done, what we are doing and what needs to be done,” he said.

Police Commissioner Caldwell said it was significant that many children attended the event, because his key message is that we all have a responsibility to break the cycle of violence and must set an example by our own behaviour to stop young boys from becoming offenders and stop young girls from becoming victims.

“We must as adults set the examples on how to behave and provide a home that is a safe place where our children want to come to - not keep away from,” he said.

“We must signal that enough is enough and reinforce the White Ribbon Day vision for all women to be safe from all forms of men’s violence. Let me be very clear domestic violence is a crime, it is a crime under the Tongan law it is a crime that the police will enforce consistently, and every time there is a report of domestic violence.”

He said last year the Family Protection Act was passed allowing the police a wider view on protecting the victims of domestic violence.

“We must enforce that law diligently, professionally, consistently and in everything we do we put the victim of domestic violence first. I applaud the courage of women who have reported domestic violence to police and to centres. I applaud the courage of their friends and neighbours who pick up the phone and ring the police,” he said.

Prevention Police Group

In order to further support the victims of domestic violence several months ago, Tonga Police had also formed a new Prevention Police Group under the leadership of Chief Inspector Tongi bringing together the domestic violence unit, victim support unit, community constables, two additional investigators, and liaison advisors to have a more connected approach to how they respond to domestic violence and crime and how to prevent crime.

Police Commissioner Caldwell said from his experience they are dealing with the same families, the same victims and the same offenders and it is important that they have the same approach and work together with community leaders and partners who do an amazing job.

"We must talk to each other, share information and we must act. Care, share and act is the key message I want to reinforce that this is about the future of our nation it is about looking after our children and setting them a good example of how we conduct ourselves based on respect, love for each other and love for our families.”

He commended and thanked the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children, the Women and Children Crisis Centre, the Talitha Project, Salvation Army and all those involved in this very important work.

“This is a day to reflect on what we do and we must take care ourselves and look after each other in this battle against domestic violence. We can make a difference and we will make a difference.”