Trigger warning: The following story contains descriptions of family violence. Some readers may find this content distressing. Please take care while reading.

When professionally trained police handle cases of gender-based violence (GBV), it ensures the survivor’s safety and reduces their risk of victimisation. A survivor’s positive initial contact experience with the justice system can also encourage other survivors to report abuse and seek justice, health, and psychosocial services.

With these outcomes in mind, the Kiribati Police Service, a SafeNet member, began rethinking its approach to handling gender-based violence. SafeNet is Kiribati’s national network of government and non-government frontline service providers who provide response and support services to survivors of violence

In 2019, the Kiribati Police Services introduced the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offence Standing Orders and Procedures, which provides clear instructions to police officers on how to handle GBV cases. This includes issuing safety orders, documenting and investigating incidents, and referring survivors to additional services provided by other SafeNet members. In the same year, the Police GBV Training Manual was developed to further equip the entire police sector with the knowledge and skills needed to address GBV and challenge harmful norms and attitudes towards survivors.

A police officer from Abaiang Island reflects on his learnings from training provided by UN Women, who support the work of SafeNet through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership), funded primarily by the Government of Australia, and the European Union, and coordinated by UN Women and the Pacific Community (SPC), in strategic partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), “I learned that we must act according to our duties as police, not based on cultural beliefs. After the training, I put what I learned into practice. I made sure the safety of survivors, took them to a hospital and a safe place. I did what was best for them. I cared for them. And you can really see the impact on women. They trust that we have sufficient services to support them. That makes me so proud”, exclaims Ioteba who now trains other police officers in Abaiang.

In South Tarawa, the initiative has also removed many of the barriers that women survivors initially faced. Those fleeing violence can now seek temporary shelter at the Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (DCSU). Additionally, survivors can access a Survivor Support Fund from any police station in the capital to receive justice, medical and psychosocial services, accompanied by a dedicated female police officer.

Eribwebwe Takirua, a coordinator at the DCSU, emphasises that building trust and confidence in the police is an integral part of crime prevention and community safety.

“If the police properly respond to domestic violence, it can be reduced because it sends a message to the community that it is a crime. Now, the police are more confident and aware of their roles in handling gender-based violence. Simultaneously, we are receiving more cases because women know where to seek help.” – Eribwebwe Takirua, Coordinator, DCSU.