A vehicle to improve response times to victims of family and domestic violence was donated to the Tonga Police Domestic Violence Unit on Friday 21 February, at the Central Police Station in Nuku’alofa.

The vehicle, provided by the Families Free of Violence (FFOV) program, was handed over by the Acting High Commissioner of Australia, HE Mr Nick Murphy and FFOV Program Coordinator Kristy Anderson to Tonga Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea.

“FFOV have a strong partnership with Tonga Police DVU and look forward to seeing DVU officers benefit from having their own vehicle to assist their work to stop family violence,” said Kristy.

A/Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea acknowledged FFOV’s support to the Domestic Violence Unit, and reaffirmed the work that the Tonga Police are doing to end family violence, and to improve police response to victims and survivors of family and domestic violence.

FFOV has also refurbished the Domestic Violence Unit at Central Police Station to provide a safe place for family violence victims and their children. In addition, FFOV was recently involved in the allocation of a safe space room in the new Vava’u Police Station.

Since opening in March 2019, the Domestic Violence Unit and Victim Supports office has received 322 cases resulting in 166 prosecuted and 156 alternate resolutions such as Policy Safety Orders referral and mediation.

The Families Free of Violence (FFOV) program is funded by the Australian Government, and works with Tonga Police, Australian Federal Police and the Family Violence Referral Sub-Committee (Ministry of Health, Women & Children Crisis Centre, Tonga National Centre for Women and Children, Family Protection Legal Aid Centre and the Domestic Violence Unit).