Population size:
105,706 [1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in the last 12 months against women= 19% [2]
Estimates suggest that between 5000-10,000 women in Tonga are survivors of domestic abuse each year which translates to between 31-62.
May 2020, the Police Commissioner stated that on average 23 women per month reported an incident of physical and sexual assault to the police. The majority of these victims were assaulted in the domestic environment. These statistics do not include psychological or emotional abuse. [3]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
WHO calculated the annual cost of violence against women to Tonga’s economy is TOP$18.3 million.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
Women’s crisis centres recorded a 54 per cent increase in the number of cases coming in during that period. It is expected that as lockdown is eased more cases will become apparent. [4]
Current law and policy:
Tonga adopted the Family Protection Act in 2013, which provided greater protection to victims of Domestic Violence, introduced Protection Orders, and clarified the duties of the police. The Act’s implementation has been supported through the adoption of zero-tolerance policy approaches and the establishment of dedicated DOMESTIC VIOLENCE legal aid centres. Progress continues to be slowed however by, among other factors, the influence of social mores regarding traditional gender and family roles.
Tonga passed the Family Protection Act in 2013. The purpose of the Act was to provide greater protection from Domestic Violence (‘DOMESTIC VIOLENCE’), introduce protection orders, clarify the duties of the police, and promote