The Tonga National Centre for Women and Children raised about $1,500 during an afternoon tea fundraising event held on April 14, to support its advocacy services to eliminate violence against women and children.

TNCWC Coordinator Fuiva Kavaliku said the Government of Tonga is its major donor and assisted the operation of the centre with $50,000 in the 2010-11 financial year. Government was committed to continuing this assistance, she said.

But at the same time the centre still needed funds to assist in its advocacy services, such as funding its outreach programs held with women in villages and advocacy workshops held throughout Tongatapu, to educate and empower women against violence.

She said the centre offers a safe house for women and children in high-risk situations and provides 24 hours counselling.

"Since our last fund raising in September 2010 in which we raised over $2,700 pa'anga the centre has received and dealt with 116 referrals from the Ministry of Police Domestic Violence Unit and 30 walk-in clients."

Fuiva said these women and children experienced physical violence, and emotional abuse, as well as child and sexual abuse.

Attended the fundraising held at the centre's compound at Halaleva were over 20 representatives from non-government organisations, Police officers and friends of the centre.

TNCWC is a non-profit organisation that began in 2000 and strives to provide services and support for women and children who are in a crisis situation.