Other jurisdictions apart from Fiji also have issues of pressing importance in areas involving family law. This semester, Topic 12 focuses on 3 possible reforms reducing domestic violence, controlling population and ending discrimination against women. But that is not meant to suggest that other areas for reform are less important. Domestic Violence by Nena Hicks Community groups have repeatedly identified this form of violence as a serious problem and Vanuatu has recently been examining its laws to see if they can be improved to assist victims. Prior to an analysis of any formal laws dealing with domestic violence or domestic protection there are, however, a number of other issues which need to be addressed.
Domestic violence is a crime which is of concern to many communities.
The 1992 PNG Law Reform Commission Report found that domestic violence was a widespread occurrence in that country, affecting as many as two thirds of all families. Unfortunately, however, it is difficult to obtain data about the extent of the problem and only a relatively small percentage of victims may report to the police or other authorities. He was hitting me almost every day and once I had three stitches in my eye from when he punched me and another time I had seven stitches in my stomach from a knife attack. I complained to the police a number of times, but they only ever warned him. Although domestic violence is a crime it is often treated differently from other criminal acts.