By Losirene Dasalusalu of 
n 2021 Rarotonga men joined in the annual White Ribbon march to put an end to domestic violence in the country. Photo: Cook Islands News
Cook Islands Police have reported a decrease in the number of assault cases against women this year, and Te Punanga Ora'anga Matutu (Te POM) - an NGO decdicated to supporting and solving domestic problems affecting men and their families - has welcomed the news.
TePOM chief executive Rick Currie said "reading the police figures is welcome news and shows the ongoing commitment by the Cook Islands Police to eliminate Gender Based Violence in the Cook Islands".
"The 'No Drop' policy is also a valuable tool as it gives those being charged the opportunity to attend counselling when directed by the Court and learn ways to develop and maintain healthy family relationships, something Te POM supports."
He said Te POM have recently noticed a downward trend in referrals from the Police and the Ministry of Justice for Family/Domestic violence counselling.
"This, however, has been offset with an increase of self-referred clients looking for support/counselling for anger management, along with ways to grow and maintain healthier family relationships.
"It's good to see that people are becoming aware of our service and utilising it."
According to police, the number of reported domestic assaults has been declining each year since 2021, and has trended well below the annual high of 112 in 2018.
Figures show that domestic violence is down this year by just over 33% compared to the same 10-month period in 2024.
These figures are reported cases involving physical assaults, mainly against women.
Police media advisor Trevor Pitt states that so far this year, the month of July has been the worst in terms of reported domestic incidents and assaults.
Police received 27 complaints of disputes, seven of which involved assault.
However, he said two months this year have recorded no domestic violence assaults at all, which is 'rare'.
According to the Ministry of Health, Te Marae Ora 2024 Health Bulletin, the hospital had received 10 cases of intimate partner violence. (exclusively by females).
Meanwhile, police have been monitoring this improving landscape of domestic violence and taking stock of the way targeted strategies have been making positive impacts.
Police receive a much higher number of callouts to incidents involving domestic disputes and arguments. In the majority of cases, the conflicts are usually defused when Officers show up.
In terms of preventative measures, the Police have taken up another tool in the options box by putting more effort into direct counselling.
According to the Police Prevention Gender and Family Harm Unit, there has been noticeable success in providing a diversion away from the legal processes.
Frontline Police also provide advisory information about the options available to victims, including Safety Orders and available counselling through other agencies.
In assault cases (against women), the Police continue to maintain a 'No Drop' policy.
This means all such matters are prosecuted, and any withdrawal action is a decision left to the court.
With White Ribbon Day - a global campaign to end violence against women being commemorated on November 25, Currie says the campaign remains an important event in raising awareness to end violence against women and children, along with promoting gender equity and healthy relationships.
Te POM , an organisation dedicated to supporting and solving family violence that affects men and their families, says the White Ribbon Campaign seeks to engage men as allies in challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and children.
"It is part of the work we do here at Te POM by offering anger management/Healthy relationship programmes and counselling for individuals and couples."
