FOREWORD Domestic violence is a universal problem occurring at epidemic proportions with grave violations of human rights. It has devastating physical, psychological, reproductive, economic and social effects, especially on vulnerable groups such as women, children, elderly and people with disabilities. The human rights framework has allowed for this global issue to be reframed as a collective problem that needs to be addressed by the society as a whole, whilst challenging the traditional views and the perception of domestic violence as a private matter. It is crucial that we all do our part to protect and promote core fundamental rights such as the right to life and to bodily integrity that is entitled to all human beings. In the Maldives, the dire need to address the issue of domestic violence instigated the enactment of the Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP) Act on 23rd April 2012. The implementation of the DVP Act expedited policy formulations, and facilitated institutional developments as well as better coordination among state institutions, civil society organizations and those in the private sector working in domestic violence prevention. Further, it has paved the way for increased public awareness, strengthened law enforcement, improved psychosocial support, and growth of legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence. The Family Protection Authority (FPA) was established as an independent body under the DVP Act and has been tasked to take a lead on a national scale to address the issue of domestic violence in the country by creating public awareness, co-ordinating the work of the relevant government institutions and various local efforts made by individuals to protect survivors of domestic violence. Amongst its wide range of responsibilities, FPA is mandated to conduct and publish research on the prevalence, characteristics and socio-demographic correlations of domestic violence. To meet this end, FPA formed a partnership with HRCM and UNDP for the Third Human Rights Survey to include a new chapter dedicated to domestic violence. This Third Human Rights Survey recognizes and integrates domestic violence as a human rights issue. The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has now successfully conducted three comprehensive Human Rights Surveys in the Maldives, documenting the public’s awareness, attitudes and knowledge on various aspects of human rights. I hope that the findings of this Third Survey would serve as a basis for formulating decisions and developing strategies by law and policy makers in the years ahead. It is also my hope that practitioners will utilize these findings to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the issue and strengthen service delivery. On behalf of Family Protection Authority, I would like to thank HRCM, UNDP, Riyan, and our staff involved in this important survey, for their v