In just six-months from January to June this year,  293 domestic violence cases were referred to the Women and Children Crisis Centre in Nuku'alofa - surpassing the whole of 2017.

For the whole of last year 263 victims of domestic violence (all women) were recorded by the centre which provides counseling, refuge and legal support. If the trend continues the number of cases for 2018 may be double the previous year.

The number of cases increased to 293 in the first six months this year, when 279 of the victims were women and 14 men.

Domestic Violence is not just physically assault but also includes emotional, verbal, psychological and economic abuse.

WCCC Staff Team Leader, Lesila To'ia said today their statistics showed an increase in the number of people reporting, yet there were some cases that remained hidden.

Meanwhile, the statistics showed that the number of clients referred to the centre's Safe House has been rising since 2015, with the majority being girls under the age of 18.

Majority of the cases referred to the Safe House were domestic violence cases, including mothers and their children, and also child abuse cases.

Although child abuse had decreased from 2016 to date, girls still remained the most affected in both physical and sexual abuse. Rape and incest cases were also dealt with at the centre over the years.

WCCC, which opened its doors in 2009, is committed to the elimination of violence against women and children who are victims and survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment and all forms of child abuse and will work towards the elimination of all forms of violence in Tonga.