Family Protection Authority (FPA) has revealed that a pilot rehabilitation programme will soon be launched for perpetrators of domestic violence. The pilot programme will be launched in prisons with assistance from the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS).
The programme aims to address the high number of domestic abuse cases as the Maldives marks the 11th anniversary of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which was ratified in 2012 to protect survivors and prevent domestic violence. FPA was established under the law and tasked with stopping domestic violence and raising public awareness.
Speaking to PSM News, Director at FPA Aishath Ibrahim expressed concern over the rising number of domestic violence cases, despite giving priority to the victims. As such, she highlighted the importance of rehabilitating the perpetrators and holding them accountable to prevent domestic violence.
Furthermore, Assistant Director Sana Farooq said that perpetrators of domestic violence will be provided with information and tools to encourage them to rehabilitate during the one-year pilot programme. She detailed that effective rehabilitation techniques will be used such as anger management, emotional regulation, and social skills.
FPA is currently seeking interested parties to conduct the pilot rehabilitation programme. The authority aims to commence the programme in prisons this quarter and to expand it to referrals later on. It also plans to introduce a new service that will provide legal representation to victims of domestic violence who cannot afford their own lawyers. This initiative aims to ensure that victims have access to legal aid, and it will help to increase the prosecution of domestic violence cases.