Without domestic violence law, the Police are committed to reducing family and gender-based harm on the island

The Police this morning confirmed that they attended to a case of domestic assault last week and one person was taken into custody and housed at the Niue Prison farm.

That person was later released on Police Bail pending a court appearance.

According to the Police, the case is still active and will not be releasing details at this point.

Chief of Police Tim Wilson says that the person is released on bail awaiting an appearance before the Niue High Court “As is the case in all criminal cases, the person of interest, in this case, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law” says Chief Wilson.

“Domestic violence is one of the most underreported crimes in the world and Niue is no different.

The Niue Police are committed to protecting victims of domestic violence and reducing family and gender-based harm in our society”.

Niue criminal code treats domestic violence cases as common assault as there is no specific law for family-based or gender-based violence.

The result is that if reported most of the perpetrators of family violence have for many years avoided heavy penalties.

The Family Law bill which will provide legal protection against domestic and family-based violence remains in draft form and has been so for the past twelve years.