HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 608: 21 March 2012

Pacific Police tackle domestic violence
The Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP) is a tripartite agreement between the New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAID), the New Zealand Police (NZPOL) and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP).
The PPDVP aims to work with both regional and national partners to build the capacity of pacific police services to prevent/respond effectively to domestic violence. This includes the development and maintenance of effective partnerships with other agencies and NGOs with a role in the prevention of domestic violence.
The long-term goal of the programme is “a Safer Pacific free from domestic violence”.
The programme signed a Declaration of Partnership in October 2007 with the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police (PICP) members to work in partnership focusing on capacity development of Pacific Police to better respond to reports of domestic violence incidents. The PPDVP works with pacific police forces at different levels and includes a more intensive focus on five countries in the region to provide on the ground sustained support for the development and implementation of Police domestic violence policy, strategy, action plans, systems and procedures and training programmes. Those five countries include Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands; there is scope to include other pacific countries in the future.
The programme has a strong regional focus to facilitate co-operation and relationships with pacific police on domestic violence issues extending beyond the five participating countries and building on strong relationships and developed links that will extend beyond the life and scope of this specific programme.
The programme hosted a Regional Conference which was held in Nadi, Fiji from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 September 2012 at the Tanoa International Hotel.
The theme of this year’s conference was: “Building Bridges and Sustaining Partnerships” with specific objectives including:
1. Joint Country presentations between Police and NGO’s presenting on the DV situation Nationally and the current capacity to respond to Domestic violence.
2. Sharing best practice
3. ‘Guest speakers presentations’
4. Presenting a Case Study on a DV ‘Model of Policing’ and Leadership
The conference was attended by Police representatives from 14 Pacific countries as well as representatives of non government organizations from the same representative countries.
The Cook Islands Police Service was represented by Acting Senior Sergeant Rebecca Hosking-Ellis and Domestic Violence Coordinator Senior Constable Pauline Rangi. The NGO Punanga Tauturu was represented by Counselor Rebeka Buchanan.
“Senior Sergeant Ellis comments that the Cook Islands Police Service is taking the lead as a role model in areas of the ‘No Drop Policy’ where Tonga, Kiribati and other countries have followed suit.
Other countries are also interested with our invention of having Q cards in our note books to assist officers with the procedures of attending Domestic violence incidents. This is one thing we have to be proud of, that the Cook Islands Police Service is taking Domestic violence seriously”.
“Rebeka Buchanan from Punanga Tauturu says the Conference highlights the fact that we need to work together, that is Police and NGO’s, Punanga Tauturu specifically as the leading agency in Domestic Violence issues. We fully support the work of the Police, in providing support to families in a Domestic Violence situation and in keeping them safe from further harm. Rebeka says that she looks forward to working closely with the Police Department in a supportive role and to further improve all responses to Domestic Violence in the Country.
From Punanga Tauturu’s perspective, any support and training on Domestic Violence from other Organisations such as the Pacific Police Domestic Violence Program (PPDVP) a New Zealand and Foreign Affairs funded project run for Police officers in the Pacific Region by Police Officers based in New Zealand can help increase and develop the Local Police Officers knowledge, attitudes and skills on how to effectively respond positively to domestic violence has to be a good thing. It would also ensure that we all provide a more comprehensive and non judgmental attitude to the individuals and their families in dealing with issues of Domestic Violence.”

Herald Issue 608 21 March
- Terms of one China Policy document should be reviewed
- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs

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