Harmful Connections: Examining the
relationship between violence against
women and violence against children
in the South Pacific
Intersections of links
between violence against women and violence against children in
the South Pacific

i
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The presentation of data and information as contained in this book, and the opinions expressed therein, do
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UNICEF and UNFPA are committed to widely disseminating information and to this end welcomes enquiries
for reprints, adaptations, republishing or translating this or other publications.
Intersections of links between violence against women
and violence against children in the South Pacific
© United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2015
Any part of this report may be freely reproduced with the appropriate acknowledgment
Copies of this publication are available from:
UNICEF Pacific
3rd Floor FDB Building
360 Victoria Parade Suva, Fiji
e-mail: [email protected]
www.unicefpacific.org
Cover photo : © UNICEF Pacific/2014/Alcock
Editing, design and layout: Inís Communication – www.iniscommunication.com
Photographs used in this report are from the UNICEF Pacific Library
and bear no association to subjects in this report
ii

Harmful Connections: Examining the
relationship between violence against
women and violence against children
in the South Pacific

iii
Contents
Acknowledgement.....................................................................................................1
1.Introduction...........................................................................................................2
2.Methodology.........................................................................................................3
3. Comparative analysis of key findings..................................................................4
3.1. Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by intimate partner ..............................4
3.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence....................................................5
3.3. Women’s experience of violence from age 15 by non-partner’s.................................................8
3.4 Child sexual abuse before age of 15...........................................................................................8
3.5 Violence during pregnancy.........................................................................................................9
3.6. Co-occurrence of violence against women and children.......................................................... 10
3.7. Impact of violence on children who witnessed intimate partner violence .............................. 11
4. Findings per country: a snapshot......................................................................12
4.1. FIJI...........................................................................................................................................12
4.2. KIRIBATI..................................................................................................................................13
4.3. SAMOA....................................................................................................................................15
4.4. SOLOMON ISLAND.................................................................................................................16
4.5. TONGA.....................................................................................................................................18
4.6. VANUATU.................................................................................................................................19
5.Conclusion...........................................................................................................22
6.References............................................................................................................23
iv

List of Figures
Figure 3.1.1. Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by intimate partner:
ever-partnered women aged 15–49 ..................................................................................4
Figure 3.1.2. Lifetime prevalence of violence by intimate partner: comparison
between South Pacific countries and other countries in the world...................................4
Figure 3.2.1. Link between IPV and children’s exposure to violence.....................................................5
Figure 3.2.2. Exposure to violence: women who have experienced IPV and who have not.................6
Figure 3.2.2. a. Fiji...........................................................................................................6
Figure 3.2.2. b. Kiribati.....................................................................................................6
Figure 3.2.2. c. Solomon Island.......................................................................................6
Figure 3.2.2. d. Tonga......................................................................................................6
Figure 3.3.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence since age 15 by non-partner..........8
Figure 3.4.1. Child sexual abuse before age of 15..................................................................................8
Figure 3.5.1. Ever-pregnant women who experienced violence during pregnancy................................9
Figure 3.6.1. Co-occurrence of violence against women and children in the same household ........... 10
Figure 3.7.1. Symptoms of children reported by women who experience IPV ................................... 11
Figure 3.7.2. Symptoms of children reported by women who did not experience IPV ....................... 11

v

Acronyms
CSA
Child Sexual Abuse
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child
DHS
Demographic and Health Surveys
GBV
Gender Based Violence
FWCC
Fiji Women Crisis Center
IPV
Intimate Partner Violence
SPC
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
PIC
Pacific Island Countries
UNFPA
United Nation Population Found
UNICEF
United Nations Children Found
UNCSW
United Nations Commission of the Status of Women
UNV
United Nation Volunteers
UNDP
United Nation Development Program
VAC
Violence Against Children
VAW
Violence Against Women
WHO
World Health Organization
vi

Acknowledgement
This report is the result of an extensive desk
review of existing data sources on violence against
women and children in the Pacific. The report was
compiled and analyzed by Claudia Milucci whose
tremendous drive and energy have been critical to
its completion. Claudia worked closely with Maha
Muna (Gender Adviser, UNFPA), Dr Henrica A.F.M.
(Henriette) Jansen (UNFPA), Melissa Alvarado
(Gender Adviser, UNWOMEN), Dr Andreaa Torre
(Lecturer at USP), Stephanie Chiu, Andrea Knuth,
Greg Grimsich (UNOCHA).
The UNICEF Pacific team also provided support, in
particular: Amanda Bissex (Chief of Child Protection,
UNICEF), Tomas Jensen (Communication Specialist,
UNICEF), Carmen Monclus Gorones (Child Protection
Specialist, UNICEF).
Final layout and edits were done by Joseph Hing,
Yeonkyeong Park , and Patricia Doughty.
This publication also acknowledges the courageous
testimony of the women who took part in the VAW
prevalence research and the research teams that
completed the studies.
© UNICEF Pacific/2014/Alcock
Vila East School, Port Vila, Vanuatu

1
© UNICEF Pacific/2014/Alcock
Vila East School, Port Vila, Vanuatu
1.Introduction
Violence against women (VAW) is widely
condemned as a fundamental violation of human
rights and is recognized as a significant public
health problem, causing enormous social harm and
costs to national economies (WHO, 2013: 2). It is
also widely acknowledged that such violence has
an effect on children (Fulu, E et.al., 2013: 5). This
report is a literature review that aims to develop a
deeper understanding of what is known about the
connection between violence against women and
violence against children (VAC) in the South Pacific
Island countries. It consolidates existing evidence
from studies on the intersections between VAW
and VAC and focuses specifically on Fiji, Kiribati,
Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga and Vanuatu. The
review provided an opportunity to conduct a robust
comparative analysis of the data at different levels
including country-level analysis.
violence that results in, or is likely to result in,
physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering
to women, including threats of such acts, coercion
or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or private life” (UN, 1993). The
review draws from definitions from the United
Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence
against Children which is used as an overall
framework for addressing VAC. The term ‘child’
refers to “every human being below the age of
18 years” and the term ‘violence against children’
refers to all forms of physical, mental violence,
injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment,
maltreatment and exploitation, including sexual
abuse as the intentional use of physical force or
power, threatened or actual, against a child, by an
individual or group, that either results in or has a
high likelihood of resulting in actual or potential
harm to the child’s health, survival, development or
dignity” (UNSG, 2006: 6)
For the purpose of this review, the term ‘violence
against women’ means “any act of gender-based
2
Introduction
2.Methodology
A systematic review of the literature was
conducted on VAW and VAC in the South Pacific.
While research on these subjects has increased,
the literature is limited in both scope and depth.
The paucity of literature influenced the decision
to use data from the World Health Organisation
(WHO) Multi-country Study on Women and Health
and Domestic Violence Against Women, which
was a quantitative and qualitative study focused
on the prevalence of intimate partner violence and
its association of women’s physical, mental, sexual
and reproductive health. These studies were
carried out with a number of partners including
the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission, UNFPA,
Vanuatu Women’s Counseling Center, Fiji Women’s
Crisises Center, Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili Inc and the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.
The value of using this study:
• It provided national baselines on VAW.
• It provided rich data (though limited) on the
impact of VAW on the health and wellbeing of
children.
• It used one cross-sectional population-based
survey across all countries making it easier to
conduct analysis and compare data.
The study was carried out in Melanesia, Micronesia
and Polynesia and was a collaborative effort with
government organisations and other partners.
Six country-study reports, including Fiji, Kiribati,
Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga and Vanuatu, were
selected which reflected the diversity of the region.
Women interviewed in the studies were aged
between 15 to 49 with the exception of Fiji which
targeted women between the age of 14 to 65.
The studies followed rigorous international ethical
requirements.
© UNICEF Pacific/2014/Alcock
Vila East School, Port Vila, Vanuatu
• The Kiribati and Solomon Island reports
contained more extensive data on the
intersections of VAW and VAC than the other
countries.
• A few countries omitted some of the
questions on children on the recommendation
of a previous study to avoid questions on
child abuse in questionnaires because of the
complex nature of the methodological, ethical
and safety issues.
The standard WHO study methodology and
structure of analysis was followed in all country
studies, however, there were challenges that made
the synthesis of the report difficult:
• Each report emphasized different aspects
of VAW and VAC that was unique to their
situation.
Methodology
3
3.Comparative analysis of key findings
The following sections are a comparative analysis of data collected from Kiribati, Solomon Island, Vanuatu,
Tonga, Samoa and Fiji reports. Themes are explored which show commonality as well as variation.
3.1. Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by intimate
partner
Figure 3.1.1. Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by intimate partner: everpartnered1 women aged 15–49 or 18-49
80%
70%
60%
80%
50%
70%
40%
60%
30%
50%
20%
40%
10%
30%
0%
20%
68%
64%
65%
60%
46%
68%
64%
65%
40%
60%
46%
40%
Fiji
10%
Kiribati
Sa moa
Solo mon
Is land
Tonga
Vanuatu
0%
Figure 3.1.2.
by
partner:Vanuatu
comparison between South
Fiji prevalence
Kiribati of violence
Sa moa
Solo intimate
mon
Tonga
80 Lifetime
Is 2land
Pacific countries
and
other
countries
in
the
world
(Percentage
of
women
aged 15-49 or 18-49)
70
60
80
50
70
40
60
30
50
20
40
10
30
0
20
South Pacific countries
Other countries
ng
la
de
sh
Ba
0
Ba
ng
60
50
K i Fi j i
K i Fi j i
ri b
ri b
So S ati So S ati
l o am
l o am
m o
m o
on a
on a
I sl
I sl
To a
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Va nga
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nu
nu
at
at
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u
de
sh
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B
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hi l
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o
o
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or
or
g
g
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al n
al n
di
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ve
ve
s
M
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N e N a a l ta N e N a a l ta
w mi
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an
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r
r
u
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ai U
ai
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o f Tu nd . o f Tu nd
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a
n
Vi ania
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et
et
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Na
m
m
South Pacific countries
la
10
Other countries
Respondents mother
experienced IPV
40
60
Figure 3.1.2. show that women and children growing up in South Pacific countries experience
some
of in law
Respondent’s
mother
30
experienced
IPV
50
the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the world. An inter-country comparison
is made
beRespondents
mother
experienced IPV
tween South40
Pacific
countries
and
fifteen
other
countries
from
another
study
using
the
WHO
multi-counPartner
beaten
as
child
20
Respondent’s
mother in law
try study methodology. The data reveals an IPV prevalence rate of 34 percent in other selected
countries
Respondent
experience
10
30
experienced
IPV
of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
and a prevalence rate of 57 percent of women in the South Pacific countries.
Partner beaten as child
200
10
1
2
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
Respondent experience
of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
0
Ever-partnered women Fiji
or men are persons
have been partnered
once in their
lives although
Kiribati who Samoa
Solomonat least
Tonga
Vanuatu
45 Against Women Prevalence Data: Surveys by Country’, compiled by UN Women, December 2012.
From ‘Violence
40
35
45
30
40
25
35
20
30
40%
4
40%
21%
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
23%
Comparative
analysis
Respondent’s
mother
in lawofkeyfindings
experienced
Respondent’sIPV
mother
10%
0%
Fiji
Kiribati
Sa moa
Solo mon
Is land
Tonga
Vanuatu
The prevalence of partner and non-partner violence is high in Pacific Island countries. Lifetime prevalence
80
rates for physical and sexual violence by partner and non-partner among Pacific Island women falls
70
between 60 to 80%. In Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati women report higher prevalence of
60
partner violence than non-partner violence. In Tonga and Samoa, the reverse occurs. In addition in Tonga,
50
Other countries
Samoa and Fiji, non-partner violence is mainly physical violence while in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and
40
South child
Pacificsexual
countries
Vanuatu sexual violence by non-partners is equally common as physical violence. Finally
abuse
30
is common in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu but relatively less so in Tonga and Samoa.
20
10
K i Fi j i
ri b
So S ati
l o am
m o
on a
I sl
To a
Va nga
nu
at
u
sh
Br
a
Et zi
hi l
o
Ge pia
or
g
J ia
M a pa
al n
di
ve
M s
a
N e N a l ta
w mi
Ze b i
al a
an
d
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Se ru
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ai
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la
R.
o f Tu nd
Ta rk
nz ey
Vi ania
et
Na
m
3.2.
Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence
0
Ba
ng
la
de
Figure 3.2.1. Exposure of respondents and partners to violence during childhood, by respondents
experiences of intimate partner violence (Percentage of women aged 15-49 or 18-49)
60
50
Respondents mother
experienced IPV
40
30
Respondent’s mother in law
experienced IPV
20
Partner beaten as child
10
Respondent experience
of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
0
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
Intergenerational violence refers to a model of domestic violence in which behavioral strategies or scripts
are
transmitted from parent to child and from sibling to sibling (Pollak, 2004: 311). Data in Figure 3.2.1.
45
reveal
a strong link between IPV and children’s exposure to violence. It supports the notion of a cyclical
40
40%
pattern
of violence
where the perpetrator of violence could also be a survivor of violence.
35
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
30
25
20
21%
15
Respondent’s mother in law
experienced IPV
23%
17%
Partner beaten as child
10
10%
5
10%
0
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
45
40
35
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
38%
35%
30
25
Respondent’s mother in law
experienced IPV
24% 24% 23%
20
Partner beaten as child
15
10
9% 10% 9%
5
Respondent experience
of CSA
0
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
60
50 of key findings
Comparative analysis
40
49%
5
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
Respondent experience
of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
lo
So
U.
R.
Ne
of
w
V
Samoa
Ba
40
50
30
60
30
40
20
50
20
30
10
40
100
20
30
100
20
0
3.2.2.10a.
T
Kiribati
n
Fiji
experienced IPV
Respondents mother
Respondent’sIPV
mother in law
experienced
experienced IPV
Respondents
mother
Respondent’s
mother in law
experienced IPV
Partner beaten
experienced
IPVas child
Respondent’s
mother in law
Respondents mother
Partner
beaten
Respondent
experience
experienced
IPVas child
of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
Respondent
experience
Partner
beaten
as childin law
Respondent’s
mother
of
Child Sexual
experienced
IPVAbuse (CSA)
Respondent experience
Partner
as child(CSA)
of
Child beaten
Sexual Abuse
50
60
40
Figure 3.2.2. Exposure to violence: women who have experienced IPV
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
and who have Fijinot Kiribati Samoa
Figure
450
40
45
35
40
45
30
35
40
25
30
35
20
45
25
30
15
40
20
25
10
35
15
20
5
30
10
15
0
25
5
10
20
0
5
15
Figure
Figure
0
10
3.2.2.45b.
5
400
45
35
40
45
30
35
40
25
30
35
20
45
25
30
15
40
20
25
10
35
15
20
5
30
10
15
0
25
5
10
20
0
5
15
0
10
60
5
3.2.2.60
500c.
Fiji
Fiji
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
Respondent’s mother
Respondent’sIPV
mother in law
experienced
experienced IPV
Respondent’s
mother
Respondent’s
mother in law
experienced IPV
Partner
beaten
experienced
IPVas child
Respondent’s mother in law
Partner
beaten
experienced
IPVas child
40%
40%
23%
21%
17%
40%
23%
21%
17%
23%
21%
17%
Kiribati
Respondents who
21%
experienced IPV
17% who
Respondents
experienced IPV
Respondents who
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10%
10%
10%
10%
Partner
beatenmother
as childin law
Respondent’s
experienced IPV
23%
Respondents
who did
10%
10%
not experience IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
10%
10%
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
38%
Respondents who
experienced IPV
38%
Partner beaten as child
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
Respondent’s mother
Respondent’s
mother in law
experienced IPV
experienced IPV
Respondent’s
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Respondent’s
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experienced
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of CSA
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as childin law
Respondent’s
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of
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experienced
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of
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Respondents
who did
35%
not experience IPV
35%
38% 24% 24% 23%
38%
35%
24% 24% 23%
35% 9% 10% 9%
24% 24% 23%
9% 10% 9%
24% 24% 23%
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Solomon Island
Respondents10%
who did
9%
9%
not experience
IPV
Respondents who did
not experience
IPV
9% 10% 9%
Respondents
who did
not experience IPV
Respondents who
experienced49%
IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
49%
50
60
40
37%
40
50
30
60
30
40
20
50
20
30
10
40
10
200
30
100
20
300
10
30
25
0
25
30
20
37%
37%
23%
49%
23% 25%
23%
8%
8%
8%
8%
23%
20%
20%
Respondents who did
not
experience
23%
8% 8% IPV
Respondents who20%
did
not experience IPV
Respondents
who did
8% 8%
not experience IPV
Respondents20%
who
24% 19%
experienced IPV
Respondents who did
not19%
experience IPV
24%
19%
19%
20%
19%
20%
Respondent experience
of CSA
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
Respondent’s mother
Respondent’sIPV
mother in law
experienced
experienced
Respondent’sIPV
mother
Respondent’s
mother in law
experienced IPV
Partner
beaten
experienced IPVas child
Respondent’s mother in law
Partner
beaten
Respondent
experience
experienced
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of CSA
Respondent
experience
Partner
beaten
as childin law
Respondent’s
mother
of
CSA
experienced
IPV
Respondent experience
Partner
of
CSA beaten as child
14%
14%
19%
7%
24%
19%
20%
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
19%
62%
14%
Respondent experience
of CSA
68%
Respondents
who did
not experience IPV
62%
68%
6
27%
18% 18%
62%
11%
7%
Respondents
did
7% who
14%
not experience IPV
Respondents who did
not experience
IPV
7%
Respondents who did
68%
not experience
IPV
62%
27%
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
Respondent’s mother
Respondent’sIPV
mother in law
experienced
experienced IPV
Respondent’s
mother
Respondent’s
mother in law
experienced IPV
Partner
beaten
experienced
IPVas child
Respondent’s mother in law
Partner
beaten
Respondent
experience
experienced
IPVas child
of CSA
Respondent
experience
Partner
beaten
as childin law
Respondent’s
mother
of
CSA
experienced
IPV
Respondent experience
Partner
of
CSA beaten as child
20%
Respondents who
experienced
23% 25% IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who
experienced IPV
24%
Respondent experience
of CSA
49%
23% 25%
25%
37% 23%
Figure 3.2.2 d. Tonga
20
25
15
30
15
20
10
25
10
155
20
105
0
15
0
5
10
80%0
5
70%
80%
60%0
70%
80%
50%
60%
70%
40%
50%
80%
60%
30%
40%
70%
50%
20%
30%
60%
40%
10%
40%
11%
68%
28%
28%
33%
33%
Experienced physical
violence by non-partner
Experienced physical
violence
by non-partner
Experienced
sexual
Experienced
physical
violence
by
non-partner
Experienced
sexual analysisofkeyfindings
violenceComparative
by non-partner
violence by non-partner
Experienced physical
Data across all countries indicate that women who
have experienced IPV have been exposed to more
forms of violence in their lifetime than women who
have not experience IPV. It shows a correlation
between being abused as a child, growing up in
a household where domestic violence occurs and
the acceptance of violence as part of life.
• Partner beaten as a child: In Kiribati, women
who experienced IPV were approximately 2.5
times more likely to have had a partner who
was beaten as a child, compared to those who
had not. In Solomon Island, women were 3
times more likely and in Fiji, 2 times more
likely. This finding is consistent with the finding
in the WHO Study that men who experienced
abuse as a child were 2 times more likely to be
a perpetrator of IPV and supports the notion
of intergenerational cycle of violence (Garcier
et.al., 2005: 11).
When comparing data across countries for women
who have experienced IPV and those who have
not, there were more commonalities amongst
women who have suffered IPV: they were more
likely to have had a mother who was beaten, to
have had a partner whose mother was beaten, a
partner who was beaten as a child and have had an
experience of CSA.
• Women’s experience of CSA: In Solomon
Islands, of women who experienced IPV,
almost half (49 percent) had experienced
CSA. In Kiribati, of the 68 percent of women
who experienced IPV 23 percent experienced
CSA making up a quarter of the respondent
population.
• Mother who experienced IPV: In Fiji,
Solomon and Tonga, women who experience
IPV were more likely to have had a mother
who was physically abused by her partner than
those who have not experienced IPV.
The data suggests that violence is a learned
behavior. Children who experience violence at the
hands of parents and/or witness their parent’s
violence towards one another learn that violence
is appropriate in personal settings and may imitate
these early childhood lessons in adult relationships
(Franklin, 2010: 1).
• Partner’s mother was beaten: There was a
trend across three countries, Kiribati, Solomon
Island and Tonga, where women who
experienced IPV also had partner’s whose
mother was beaten. Women who experienced
IPV were more than 2.5 times more likely to
have had a husband whose mother was beaten
compared to women who did not experience
IPV. In contrast, the experience in Fiji is not as
pronounced as in the other three countries.
Comparative analysis of key findings
7
10
Respondent experience
of
CSA
Respondent’s
mother
9% 10% 9%
255
0
20
experienced IPV
24%
Respondents20%
who
19%
experienced IPV
15
Respondents who did
19%
not experience IPV
Respondent’s mother in law
experienced IPV
14%
60
10
Partner beaten as child
3.3. Women’s
experience of violence from age 15 by non-partner
Respondent experience
Respondent’s mother
50
5
Figure
400
3.3.1.
37%
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
23% 25%
80%
20
70%
10
60%
0
50%
23%
68%
8%
Respondents who
experienced IPV
experienced IPV
Partner beaten as child
20%
62%
40%
Respondent experience
of CSA
8%
Experienced physical
violence by non-partner
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
28%
27%
33%
18% 18%
9%
0%
20
15
of
CSA
experienced
IPV
Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence since age 15
by non-partner
Respondent’s
mother in law
30
30%
30
20%
25
10%
7%
49%
24% 11% 10%
19%
Kiribati
Fiji
11%
20%
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
6%
Samoa
Solomon
Island
19%Tonga
Vanuatu
14%
40%
10
Experienced sexual
violence by non-partner
Respondent’s mother in law
experienced IPV
Partner beaten as child
37%
35%
Data shows
that in Samoa and Tonga non-partner
5
30%
physical violence and non-partner sexual violence
0
25% high.
is relatively
Respondent
experience
sexual7% violence were strangers.
These
findings
of CSA
reflect the social
and cultural norms around
30%
masculinity and gender power relationships
Respondents who
Respondents who did
20%
where
violence
as a form of discipline and conflict
experienced
IPV
not
experience
IPV
19%
It was15%
found across
all countries that the main
resolution
at
community
level.
16%
80%
perpetrators
of
non-partner
physical
violence
were:
10%
70%
68%8%
fathers,
5%male and female family members and
60%
62%2%
Experienced physical
teachers.
0% The main perpetrators of non-partner
50%
40%
30%
25
20%
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Island
Tonga
28%
27%
3.4 Child
sexual abuse before age of 15
20
10%
0%
33%
11%
6%
Figure 3.4.1.
Child
sexual abuse before age of 15: All women surveyed
15
15%
15%
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
30%
0
25%
20%
15%
Tonga
Solomon
Island
10
40%
35%5
11%
Vanuatu
9%
8%
37%
5%
4%
3%
2%
Fiji
violence by non-partner
Experienced sexual
violence by non-partner
18% 18%
23%
11% 10%
9%
Vanuatu
Kiribati
Solomon
Island
19%
Women who were punched
or kicked in abdomen
Women beaten during
pregnency
30%
Tonga
Vanuatu
16%
10%
8%
40%
5%
2%
35%
0%
30%
36%
Fiji
33%
Kiribati
25%
25
20%
Samoa
Solomon
Island
5%
40%
Kiribati
35%
Fiji
Kiribati
Women who experienced
IPV report abuse of their
children by their partner
member was the perpetrator.
The study
showed
experience
IPV report
the
abuse
of
their
a correlation between CSA and the education level
11%
Women by
who
were
punched
children
their
partner
and socio-economic
status or
ofkicked
the insurvivors.
abdomen The
15%
higher the level of education and socio-economic
Women
beaten
Solomon
Islandlower
status,
the
CSA.
Forduring
example,
9% the levels of
8%
pregnency
40 percent of women with no education had been
sexually
abused as children, compared to 32 percent
3%
of women who had primary school education; 28
4%
Of the women interviewed in Vanuatu,
55 percent
2%
0
who had experienced CSA reported that a family
Fiji
Vanuatu
Women who do not
23%
CSA indicators
vary, but were generally
high in the
15%
20
countries
10% surveyed. Data from Solomon Island and
15
Vanuatu5%
show high15%levels of CSA7%before the age of
15, with0%at least 30 percent of women reporting a
10
11%
Kiribati
violent experience.
5
Tonga
Fiji
Tonga
Solomon
Island
8
Kiribati
36%
Vanuatu
Comparativeanalysisofkeyfindings
Women who experienced
Respondents who
experienced IPV
Respondents who did
not experience IPV
30
Respondent’s mother
experienced IPV
25
24%
20
20%
19%
Respondent’s mother in law
19%
experienced
IPVpercent
survey. Of the women interviewed,
the 49
14%
Partner
beaten asabused
child
who reported that they were
sexually
before the age of 15 also reported
that their
mother
Respondent
experience
7%
of
CSA
had experienced IPV.
percent with
15 secondary education; and 17 percent
with post-secondary
education. Economic status
10
was also a factor: the higher the economic status
5
the less reported sexual abuse. The study showed
0 of women from low socio economic
that 35 percent
status experienced sexualRespondents
abuse, 30who
percent from
experienced IPV
medium socio-economic status and 15 percent
80%
from a higher socio-economic status.
CSA
has who
damaging
physiological and physical
Respondents
did
not experience IPVfor women and children in addition
consequences
to the negative impacts on national social and
70%
economic
68% development and the denial of basic
60%
62%
The Vanuatu survey highlighted the age of first
human rights. Studies showExperienced
that girls
under
physical
50%
violenceassault
by non-partner
sexual abuse with 14 percent of women aged
15 who were subjected to sexual
were
40%
between 6-10 years old and 74 percent of women
significantly more likely to suffer
later insexual
life from
Experienced
30%
33%
by non-partner
between 11-14 years.
physical and/or 28%
sexual abuseviolence
by their
partner.
27% The survey points to pockets
20%
18%
18%
of greater vulnerability: girls between 6-14 years
According to international studies on CSA, other
10%
11% 10%
11%
9% and from
old with low education
a low-medium
impacts include
low self-esteem, depression, self6%
0%
socio-economic background
were at high
risk ofSolomon
harm, Tonga
suicidal thoughts,
early sex exposure, use
Vanuatu
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Islandof alcohol and substance abuse. There is also the
been abused.
40%
risk of unwanted teenage pregnancy and the risk of
A correlation
35%between prior abuse of the perpetrator 37% sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
(in this case
30%the mother) and CSA and mother been
30%
beaten was
25%found among the women in the Kiribati
20%
15%
19%
3.5 Violence
during pregnancy
10%
16%
8%
5%
2%
Figure 3.5.1
0% Ever-pregnant women who experienced violence during pregnancy
Fiji
Kiribati
Samoa
Solomon
Island
Tonga
Vanuatu
25
23%
20
15
15%
15%
10
5
11%
5%
8%
4%
Fiji
Kiribati
Solomon
Island
Tonga
Violence 40%
towards pregnant women in the South
Pacific Islands
is of great concern. The study in
35%
Kiribati noted
that 23 percent
of women reported
33%
30%
being beaten
during
pregnancy
and in Solomon
25%
Island and
Fiji 11 and 15 percent respectively
20%
having also
been
abused while pregnant.
15%
Vanuatu
10) of women who have been physically abused
during pregnancy miscarried.Overall nine percent of
36%
Women who experienced
women who experienced IPV miscarried
compared
IPV report abuse of their
to 6 percent of women who did children
not experience
IPV.
by their partner
This trend was mirrored in Kiribati, with women
Women who do not
who experienced IPV particularly
during pregnancy
experience IPV report
were more likely to report miscarriages,
that is,
the abuse of their
11%
children In
by their
partnera
19 percent compared to 13 percent.
Vanuatu,
third of women reported that the violence started
Solomon
Island and continued at about the same
during
pregnancy
level or got progressively worse.
10%
Higher rates of miscarriage were noted from
5%
7%
women who had experienced IPV during pregnancy
0%
than women who had not experienced
IPV during
Kiribati
pregnancy. In Vanuatu, 13 percent (more than 1 in
Fiji
Comparative analysis of key findings
Women beaten during
pregnency
3%
2%
0
9%
Women who were punched
or kicked in abdomen
Fiji
9
20
15
15%
15%
10
5
11%
5%
9%
8%
Women who were punched
or kicked in abdomen
Women beaten during
pregnency
3.6. Co-occurrence
of violence against women and children
0
4%
3%
2%
Fiji
Kiribati
Solomon
Tonga
Vanuatu
Figure 3.6.1. Co-occurrence of violence Island
against women and children in the same household
40%
35%
30%
Women who experienced
IPV report abuse of their
children by their partner
36%
33%
25%
20%
15%
10%
11%
5%
Women who do not
experience IPV report
the abuse of their
children by their partner
7%
0%
Kiribati
Solomon Island
In the Kiribati and Solomon Island study, the
Fiji
co-occurrence
of IPV and child abuse in the same
household unit was high. The figures also indicate
high levels of child abuse by the partner whether
or not there was IPV. Women who experienced
Kiribati
IPV were more likely than those who had not
experienced IPV to report the abuse of their
children:
In Kiribati women who had experienced IPV were
Fiji
7 times
more likely to have children who are also
abused than those who have not experienced IPV.
In Solomon Island women who have experienced
IPV were 4.5 times more likely to report their child’s
Kiribati
abuse compared to those who did not experience
IPV. In the Vanuatu study, 17 percent of women
reported that their children were beaten at same
Aggressive behaviour
Samoaas IPV incidents occurred.
time
Samoa
• 33 percent of women in Kiribati who experienced IPV reported the abuse of their child
while 7 percent who did not experience IPV
Solomon
reported the abuse of their child.
• 36 percent of women in Solomon Island who
experienced IPV reported the abuse of their
Tonga while 11 percent who did not experience
child
IPV reported that their children have also been
abused by their partner.
Vanuatu
Experience nightmares
RepeatNations
school year
Based on global data from the United
School against
drop out
Secretary-General’s Study on Violence
Solomon
Children, it is conservatively estimated that as many
as 275 million children were currently exposed to
domestic violence. The fact that domestic violence
isTonga
chronically underreported and that some
countries have no data at all, makes it difficult to
quantify how many children are affected. Global
data also show that being in a violent household
Vanuatu
increases the risk of children being abused.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
10
Comparativeanalysisofkeyfindings
40%
35%
Women who experienced
IPV report abuse of their
children by their partner
36%
33%
30%
25%
20%
Women whopartner
do not
3.7.
Impact of violence on children who witnessed intimate
15%
experience IPV report
violence
the abuse of their
10%
11%
5%
7%
Figure 3.7.1. Symptoms of children reported
0%
by women who experience
Kiribati IPV
children by their partner
Figure 3.7.2. Symptoms of children reported
by women
Solomon
Island who did not experience IPV
Fiji
Fiji
Kiribati
Kiribati
Samoa
Samoa
Aggressive behaviour
Experience nightmares
Repeat school year
Solomon
Solomon
Tonga
Tonga
Vanuatu
Vanuatu
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
School drop out
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Children who grow up in a violent home are more
likely to be survivors of child abuse than those who
did not. In addition indirect victims have some of
the same behavioral and psychological problems as
children who are themselves physically abused.
families have poorer educational outcomes and
that the long-term consequences for these children
need to be included in calculations of the economic
costs of violence against women by their husbands
and intimate partners. (WHO, 2013: 17).
Data show that women who experienced IPV
were more likely to have reported their children
having nightmares, displaying aggressive behaviour,
repeating a year of school or dropping out of school
compared to women who had never experienced IPV.
There is also further evidence that abusive behavior
is likely to be passed down through families with
children of abusers more likely to become abusers
themselves. Overall living in a violent environment
affects the children emotionally, physical health,
behavior and their schooling.
In Fiji and Kiribati, children whose mothers were
subjected to IPV were twice as likely to repeat years
of schooling or to drop out of school. These findings
were consistent with findings from international
studies that suggest that children from such
Comparative analysis of key findings
11
4.Findings per country: a snapshot
4.1. FIJI
4.1.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner3
• Three in five women (64 percent) who have ever been in a relationship have experienced physical or sexual
violence or both by an intimate partner.
• Three out of five ever-partnered women (58 percent) have been emotionally abused by an intimate partner.
• Rates of emotional, physical and sexual violence against women by partners are higher in rural areas
than in urban areas. Nevertheless, there are very high rates of all forms of violence against women
across all divisions, age groups, education levels, ethnic groups and religions.
4.1.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence4
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experience IPV
Mothers beaten up by partner
40%
23%
Partner’s mother who experienced IPV
17%
10%
Partner beaten as a child
21%
10%
4.1.3. Women’s experience of violence by non-partner since age 155
• More than one in four women (27 percent) have been physically abused since the age of 15 by a
non-partner.
• Almost one in ten women (9 percent) have been sexually abused since the age of 15 by non-partner.
4.1.4. Child sexual abuse before the age of 156
• Almost one in five women (16 percent) were sexually abused before the age of 15.
• Of the women interviewed, 5 percent reported that their first sexual experience were forced.
4.1.5. Children witnessing their mother being abused7
• 30 percent of women reported that their children had witnessed at least one incident of their abuse by
their partner.
• 17 percent of women reported that their children had witnessed them been abused by ther partner
more than once.
3
Hunt, J. 2013. Somebody’s Life, Everybody’s Business! National Research on Women’s Health and Life Experiences in Fiji
(2010/2011): A Survey \Exploring the Prevalence, Incidence and Attitudes to Intimate Partner Violence in Fiji. Suva: Fiji Women’s
Crisis Centre: pp. 37.
4
Ibid., p. 102.
5
Ibid., p. 60.
6
Ibid., p. 61.
7
Ibid., p. 100.
12
Findings per country: a snapshot
4.1.6. Impact on children who had witnessed abuse of their mother
Children’s symptoms
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
36%
23%
Experiencing nightmares
29%
17%
Repeating a year of school
10%
4%
School drop out
5%
3%
• Children whose mothers who experienced physical or sexual violence were twice as likely to repeat
years of schooling or dropped out of school altogether.
4.1.7. Experience of violence during pregnancy8
• 15 percent of ever-pregnant women were physically assaulted during pregnancy by their partners.
Of these women, one in three (33 percent) were severely abused, including being hit or kicked
in the stomach.
4.2. KIRIBATI
4.2.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner9
• Approximately 68 percent of ever-married women between the ages of 15 - 49 experiencing physical
and/or sexual violence by intimate partner.
4.2.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence10
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Mothers beaten by partner
38%
35%
Partner’s mother who experienced IPV
24%
9%
Partner beaten as a child
24%
10%
Women who experienced CSA
23%
9%
4.2.3. Women’s experience of violence by a non-partner since the age of 15
• 11 percent of women reported experiencing physical violence by a non-partner.
• 10 percent of women reported experiencing sexual violence by non-partner.
4.2.4. Child sexual abuse before the age of 1511
• 19 percent of women aged 15-49 experienced CSA before the age of 15.
8
Ibid., p. 89.
9
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2010. Kiribati Family Health and Support Study: A Study on Violence Against
Woman and Children. Noumea: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, p. 2.
10
Ibid., p. 118.
11
Ibid., p. 4.
t Findings per country: a snapshot
13
• The perpetrators of CSA were12:
»» Father or stepfather (7 percent)
»» A family member (31 percent)
»» A stranger (33%)
4.2.5. Experience of violence during pregnancy13
• 23 percent of ever-pregnant women were beaten during pregnancy,
• 17 percent of women who experienced violence during pregnancy had been punched or kicked in the
abdomen while pregnant.
• 19 percent of women who experienced IPV during pregnancy were more likely to report a miscarriage,
compared to the 13 percent of women who miscarried who did not experience IPV.
4.2.6. Children witnessing their mother’s abuse14
• 50 percent of women reported that their children had witnessed at least one incidence of violence.
• 20 percent of women reported their children had witnessed more than one incident of violence.
4.2.7. Impact on children who had witnessed their mother’s abuse15
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
51%
41%
Experiencing nightmares
49%
31%
Repeated school year
19%
9%
School dropout
11%
6%
Children’s symptoms
• Children of women who experienced IPV have were experiencing high rates of nightmares, display of
aggressive behaviour and problems at school.
4.2.8. Co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse in same household16
• 33 percent of women who experienced IPV were more likely to report that their partner had abused
their child.
• 7 percent of women who did not experience IPV reported the abuse of their child.
4.2.9. Impact of Intimate partner violence on the mother’s parenting behaviour17
• 5 percent of women shouted or yelled at their children
• 4 percent of women beat their children
• 9 percent of women ignored their children
• 4 percent of women were too sick or hurt to look after the children
12
Ibid., p. 106.
13
Ibid., p. 135.
14
Ibid., p. 114.
15
Ibid., p. 115.
16
Ibid., p. 109.
17
Ibid., p. 113.
14
Findings per country: a snapshot
4.3. SAMOA
4.3.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner18
• 46 percent of ever-partnered women between the ages of 15-49 experienced physical and/or sexual
violence by intimate partner.
4.3.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence
Women who experienced IPV
Mother beaten up by partner
50%19
Partner’s mother who experienced IPV
42%20
Partner beaten as a child
10%21
Women who experienced sexual abuse
19%22
4.3.3. Women’s experience of violence by a non-partner since age 1519
• 62 percent of women have experienced physical violence by a non-partner.
• 11 percent of women have experienced sexual violence by non-partner.
• Perpetrators of non-partner physical abuse before the age of 15:
»» Father: 36 percent
»» Male in a family: 4 percent
»» Female family member: 39 percent
»» Teacher: 19 percent
• Perpetrators of sexual violence since age 15 were either a boyfriend and/or stranger.
4.3.4. Women reported children who witnessed their mother’s abuse20
• 31 percent of woman who experienced IPV reported that their children had witnessed one incident
of violence.
• 12 percent reported that the children have witnessed many incidents of violence.
18
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2007. The Samoa Family Health and Safety Study. Noumea: Secretariat of the Pacific
Community. p. 15.
19
Ibid., p. 44.
20
Ibid., p. 35.
t Findings per country: a snapshot
15
4.3.5. Impact on children who had witnessed their mother’s abuse21
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
46%
36%
Experiencing nightmares
34%
28%
Repeated year at school
11%
8%
School drop out
13%
8%
Children symptoms
4.4. SOLOMON ISLAND
4.4.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner22
•
Two in three women (65 percent) of ever-married women between the ages of 15-49 experienced
physical and/or sexual violence by intimate partner.
4.4.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence23
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Mother beaten by partner
37%
23%
Partner’s mother experienced violence
23%
8%
Partner beaten as a child
25%
8%
Women experience of CSA28
49%
20%
4.4.3. Ever-married women who experienced violence by non-partner since the age of 1524
• 18 percent of women experienced physical violence by non-partner. Male family members, particularly
father were identified as the most common perpetrators.
• 18 percent of women experienced sexual violence by non-partner. Perpetrators were boyfriends
and strangers.
• 29 percent of women experienced physical or sexual violence by non-partner.
4.4.4. Perpetrators of non-partner physical abuse25
• Father or stepfather: 59 percent
• Boyfriend: 48 percent
• Male family member: 23 percent
• Female family member: 25 percent
• Acquaintance (teacher or work colleague): 17 percent
• Perpetrators of non-partner sexual abuse:
21
Ibid., p. 36
22
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2009. Solomon Island Family Health and Support Study: A study on Violence Against
Woman and Children. Noumea: Secretariat of the Pacific Community. p. 3.
23
Ibid., p. 6.
24
Secretariat of the Pacific Community Op. Cit., p. 80
25
Ibid., p. 81.
16
Findings per country: a snapshot
»» Acquaintance (teacher or work colleague): 24 percent
»» Stranger: 26 percent
4.4.6. Experience of child sexual abuse before age 1526
• 37 percent of women aged between 15-49 experienced child sexual abuse before age of 15.
• Perpetrators of child sexual abuse:
»» Father: 2 percent
»» Family member: 20 percent
»» Friend of the family: 16 percent
»» Boyfriend: 36 percent
»» Teacher or colleague: 15 percent
• Stranger: 24 percent
• Police officer: 2 percent
4.4.7 Women violence during pregnancy27
• 11 percent of ever- pregnant women were beaten during pregnancy
• 18 percent of women experienced violence during their pregnancy had been punched or kicked in the
abdomen while pregnant.
4.4.8. Children who witnessed their mother’s abuse28
• 59 percent of woman who experienced IPV reported that their children had witnessed at least one
incident of violence.
• 26 percent reported that their children had witnessed more than one incident of violence.
4.4.9. Impact on children who had witnessed their mother’s abuse29
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
57%
41%
Experienced nightmares
36%
21%
Repeated school year
19%
18%
School dropout
10%
10%
Children symptoms
4.4.10. Co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse within the same household30
• 36 percent of women who experienced IPV reported the abuse of their child, while 11 percent of
women who do not experience IPV had reported the abuse of their child.
• Women who had experienced IPV were 4.5 times more likely to report that their children had being
abused than women who have not experienced IPV.
26
Ibid., p. 87.
27
Ibid., p. 115.
28
Ibid., p. 96.
29
Ibid., p. 97.
30
Ibid., p. 91.
t Findings per country: a snapshot
17
4.4.11. Impact of intimate partner violence on mother’s parenting behaviour31
• 59% of women who had suffered violence believed the violence had affected the way they parented
their children32. The findings indicate that the impact of such violence on parenting is overwhelmingly
negative.
• 10 percent of women shouted at their children
• 23 percent of women hit their children
• 42 percent of women ignored their children
• 6 percent of women were too sick or hurt to look after the children.
4.5. TONGA
4.5.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner33
• 40 percent of ever-married women between the ages of 15-49 who experienced physical and/or sexual
violence by intimate partner.
4.5.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence34
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Mother beaten by partner
24%
19%
Partner’s mother experienced violence
20%
7%
Partner beaten as a child
20%
14%
Women experience of CSA
8%
4.5.3. Women’s experience of violence by non-partner since age 1535
• 68 percent of women had experienced physical violence by someone other than an intimate partner
since the age 15. The prevalence rate was high across all educational levels and age groups.
• Perpetrators were mostly fathers (50 percent) and teachers (20 percent).36
• Children and young people were discipline by the use of a stick or were slapped.
• Corporal punishment is still prevalent in schools even though it is illegal.37
• 6 percent of women experienced sexual violence by a non-partner. The most commonly mentioned
perpetrators were boyfriends and strangers.
4.5.4. Child sexual abuse before age 1538
• 8 percent of women experienced sexual abuse before they were 15 years old.
• Perpetrators were strangers, male family members and a category ‘others’.
31
Ibid., p. 95.
32
Ibid., p. 87.
33
Ma’a Fafine. 2012. National Study on Domestic Violence Against Women in Tonga 2009: Nofo ‘A Kainga. Nuku’alofa: Ma`a Fafine
mo e Famili Inc. p. xxv.
34
Ibid., p. 125.
35
Ibid., p. 56.
36
Ibid., p. 212.
37
Ibid., p. 63.
38
Ibid., p. xxvi.
18
Findings per country: a snapshot
4.5.5. Comparing partner and non-partner violence39
• More than three out of four women (77 percent) have experienced physical or sexual violence in their
lifetime by a partner or non-partner.
• The comparative data on partner and non-partner violence show that women in Tonga are almost three
times more likely to have experienced violence by non-partners than by their partners. This pattern is
different when compared to other countries in the world.40
4.5.6. Women’s experience of violence during pregnancy41
• 8 percent of ever-pregnant women have been beaten during a pregnancy.
• 41 percent of women had been punched or kicked in abdomen during pregnancy.
4.5.7. Children who witnessed their mother being abused by their partner42
• 14 percent of woman who experienced IPV reported their children have witnessed at least once.
• 20 percent reported that the children had witnessed more than one incident of violence.
4.5.8. Impact of violence on children who witnessed their mother being abused by their
partner43
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
38%
37%
Experienced nightmares
42%
37%
Repeat school year
11%
11%
School drop out
11%
7%
Children symptoms
4.6. VANUATU
4.6.1. Women’s experience of physical and sexual violence by intimate partner44
• 60 percent of ever-married women between the ages of 15-49 experienced physical and/or sexual
violence by intimate partner.
39
Ibid., p. xxvi.
40
Ibid., p. 66.
41
Ibid., p. 205.
42
Ibid., p. 224.
43
Ibid., p. 223.
44
Vanuatu Women’s Centre. 2011. Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. Port Vila: Vanuatu
Women’s Center. p. 56.
t Findings per country: a snapshot
19
4.6.2. Cycle of violence: intergenerational transmission of violence
Cycle of violence
Women who experienced IPV
Mothers who were beaten by partner
51%50
Partner’s mother beaten by her partner
23%51
Partner beaten as a child
29%52
4.6.8. Women violence by non-partner since age 1545
• One in four women (28 percent) experienced non-partner physical violence.
• One in three women (33 percent) had experienced non- partner sexual violence.
• 48 percent women experienced physical and/or sexual violence by non-partner.
4.6.9. Perpetrators of non-partner physical abuse since age 1546
• Father 51 percent
• Female family member: 37 percent
• Male family member: 11 percent
• Teacher: 24 percent
4.6.10. Perpetrators of non-partner sexual abuse since age 15
• Boyfriend: 60 percent
• Stranger: 22 percent
• Male family member: 20 percent
• Male friend of family: 4 percent
• Grandfather: 4 percent
4.6.11. Child sexual abuse before age 1547
• 30 percent of women reported sexual abuse before age of 15.
• 28 percent of women reported that their first experience of sex was rape.
4.6.12. Perpetrators of the child sexual abuse48
• 55 percent of women reported that family members were the perpetrators of CSA
• Family member: 33 percent
• Boyfriend: 33 percent
• Stranger: 26 percent
• Grandfather: 10 percent
• Brother: 7 percent
• Stepfather: 3 percent
45
Ibid., p. 95.
46
Ibid., p. 99.
47
Ibid., p. 100.
48
Ibid., p. 103.
20
Findings per country: a snapshot
4.6.13. Level of the education of women:
• Two in five (40 percent) of women with no education had been sexually abused as a child
• One in three women (32 percent) with primary education have been sexually abused as a child
• 28 percent of women with secondary school education have been sexually abused as a child
• 17 percent of women with higher education have been sexually abused as a child.
4.6.14. Socio-economic status of women
• One in three women (35 percent ) with low socio-economic status experienced sexual abuse
• 30 percent of women from medium socio-economic status experienced sexual abuse
• 15 percent of women from high economic status experienced sexual abuse
4.6.15. Age of first sexual abused among women interviewed
• 14 percent were between 6 to 10 years old
• 74 percent of women reported that they were between the age of 11 to 14 years old when experiencing
the first sexual abuse incident
4.6.16. Women violence during pregnancy49
• 15 percent of ever-pregnant women were physically abuse during pregnancy by partner.
• A third of women were beaten during pregnancy where violence started during pregnancy, and
became progressively worse.
4.6.17. Children who witnessed their mother being abused by partner50
• 32 percent reported that their children had witnessed one incident of violence.
• 15 percent reported that their children had witnessed more than one incident of violence.
4.6.18. Impact of violence on children who witnessed their mother being abused by their partner51
Women who
experienced IPV
Women who did not
experienced IPV
Aggressive behaviour
73%
54%
Experienced nightmares
53%
37%
Repeat of school year
38%
26%
School drop out
22%
8%
Children symptoms
4.6.19. Co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse in same household52
• 17 percent of women who experienced IPV were more likely to report that their partner had beaten
their child.
49
Ibid., p. 125.
50
Ibid., p. 131.
51
Ibid., p. 143.
52
Ibid., p. 131.
t Findings per country: a snapshot
21
5.Conclusion
A key message from this publication is to stress
the need for both prevention and response to
violence against women and violence against
children. Preventing violence from taking place in
the first place can break the cycle of discrimination
and negative social norms that perpetuate human
rights violations. This requires solid policy and
legislative reform, as well as community outreach
and awareness raising initiatives.
professionals, mass media, parents and children
and other organs of civil society. The international
community also has a role to play in supporting
initiatives by both government and civil society to
combat violence against children and women.
Governments must expand protection of women
and children and must review the legislative
framework of the country, particularly, the laws and
policies that uphold inequality within customary law,
the judiciary system, education law, and laws that
govern social services and health. Policies should
reinforce the message that domestic violence is a
crime and perpetrators are be punished in order to
protect women and children. Criminalizing domestic
violence sends a clear message that violence is not
a private matter and is unacceptable. It is essential
that protective laws are enforced and offenders
accountable, services are available to survivors of
violence and that there is greater public awareness
of the extent and scope of the problem.
Violence against children can take many forms,
including physical, sexual, emotional and verbal
abuse, and may involve neglect or deprivation.
Violence can also affect children in an indirect
way – witnessing domestic violence between
parents, for example, or between a parent and his
or her partner. Violence against children is typically
perpetrated by those entrusted with their care:
parents or other family members, teachers and
even law enforcement officials. Evidence clearly
suggests that violence can affect children’s health
and well-being on many different levels – physical,
psychological, social and emotional.
The challenge before governments and development
partners is to address issues of violence against
women and violence against children holistically
and in a complimentary way. One solution lies in
implementing some key Essential Services for
survivors, across health, security, access to justice
and psychological support. By offering Essential
Services governments can help ensure greater
access by women and girls to coordinated, quality
care in response to the physical and mental health
impacts of violence including death and disability,
reproductive health ailments, chronic depression
and acute physical injuries.
As this report demonstrates there is a strong
correlation between violence perpetrated against
children and violence perpetrated against adult
women particularly in the home.
Violence against women and children is regarded
as symptomatic of wider gender inequality in
society and laws and policies need to be reviewed,
changed and implemented in order to address
this inequality. Governments in the South Pacific
island countries should make changes to current
law, policies, procedures or regulations in order to
comply with international policies such as CRC and
CEDAW.
South Pacific countries have high prevalence rates
of violence against women and children and, for
this reason, governments across all countries
must demonstrate commitment to addressing this
problem by devising strategies and action plans
that include civil society and the voices of women
and children and other vulnerable groups. Violence
against women and children is not only a matter
of concern for national governments and strategies
and plans must include different sectors of society
such as health and education professionals, legal
22
Conclusion
6.References
Source of data
Hunt, J. 2013. Somebody’s life, everybody’s business! National Research on Women’s Health and Life
Experiences in Fiji (2010/2011): A Survey Exploring the Prevalence, Incidence and Attitudes to Intimate
Partner Violence in Fiji. Suva: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, 2013.
Ma’a Fafine. 2012. National Study on Domestic Violence Against Women in Tonga 2009: Nofo ‘A Kainga.
Nuku’alofa: Ma`a Fafine mo e Famili Inc.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2010. Kiribati Family Health and Support Study: A Study on Violence
Against Woman and Children. Noumea: Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2007. The Samoa Family Health and Safety Study. Noumea: Secretariat
of the Pacific Community.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community. 2009. Solomon Island Family Health and Support Study: A study on
Violence Against Woman and Children. Noumea: Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Vanuatu Women’s Centre. 2011. Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. Port
Vila: Vanuatu Women’s Center.
References
Franklin, C.A. 2010. The Intergenerational Transmission of Intimate Partner Violence. Hunstville: The Crime
Victims Institute, Sam Houston State University.
Fulu, E,, Warner, X., Miedema, S., Jewkes, R., Roselli, T., and Lang, J. 2013. Why do some men use violence
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García-Moreno Henrica, C., Jansen, H.A.F.M. Ellsberg, J.M., Heise, L., Watts, C. 2005. WHO Multi-country
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Pollak, Robert. 2004. An intergenerational model of domestic violence. In Journal of Population Economics,
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United Nations. 1993. Declaration for the Elimination on Violence Against Women, A/RES/48/104, 85TH
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United Nations Secretary-General (2006). Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on
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References
23
UNICEF Pacific
UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office
3rd Floors FDB Building
360 Victoria Parade Suva, Fiji
e-mail: [email protected]
www.unicefpacific.org
Level 6, Kadavu House,
414 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
e-mail: [email protected]
http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/pacific
26
References