Population size:
2020: 10,580 [1]
2019: 11,646 [2]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
Last report was conducted in 2007. It found 41 per cent of women between the ages of 15-49 have experienced violence by a husband or other intimate partner. [3]
Proportion of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 years experiencing intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence in 12 months prior to the survey: 25 %. [4]
Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in the last 12 months against women= 25% [5]
A 2007 Demographic Health Survey found that 47 per cent of women had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime [6]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
No research.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
No research.
Current law and policy:
On 18 December 2014, Tuvalu’s Parliament passed the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act 2014. This Statute criminalises acts of domestic violence and protects from violence in domestic relationships.
Suva, Tuvalu’s Parliament, unanimously passed the country’s Family Protection and Domestic Violence Bill last on 18 December after its second and final reading in the House. The Act provides for greater protection from violence within domestic relationship to ensure the safety and protection of all people, including children, who experience or witness domestic violence. The Act recognises that domestic violence, in all its forms, is unacceptable behaviour and a crime. Violence against women and within the family is a human rights violation, depriving women and children of their right to a safe and secure family life.
SPC RRRT has been providing support to the Government of Tuvalu through the drafting of the Bill in 2011 as well as providing a set of drafting instructions on violence against women legislation that is compliant with global human rights standards and supporting community and national consultations on the Bill in 2013 and in 2014.
The Tuvalu 2007 Demographic and Health survey reported that four in ten women have been subjected to some type of physical violence, with their current husbands or partners being the main perpetrators. Women whose husbands drink alcohol excessively are far more likely to experience physical, emotional, or sexual violence than those whose partner does not drink. Around half of all reported acts of physical violence were reported by women aged 25-29. At the 60th Session of the UN CEDAW Expert Committee (Geneva 2015)- the Government of Tuvalu confirms its responsibility to eliminate violence against women, and reiterates the enactment of the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act is to provide protection for women and girls from domestic violence. Firstly, in the area of legislative development, I am pleased to inform you Madam Chair of the enactment, in December 2014, of the new Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act 2014. This is indeed a significant milestone in Tuvalu’s quest to take responsibility and pla