11. There are no strict punishments to perpetrators of DV. However, violation of a protection order under DVP Act is a punishable offense analogous to a Court Order Violation. Also important to highlight is that Article 62 of this Act stipulates failure to undertake any provisions mentioned in this Act is a criminal offence which is charged by a fine of not more than MVR10,000.00 (USD649). 12. FPA which is mandated to combat DV is not provided with necessary financial and human resources.4 Despite the ratification of a momentous Act to protect victims of DV, reporting of cases of DV remains proportionally low. A total of 16 cases on VAW were lodged at HRCM from 2008 to 2013. FPA records show an increase from 19 cases in 2013 to 158 cases in 2014, these cases include DV cases directly reported to FPA as well as cases referred to FPA by stakeholders. The lack of confidence in the system, fear of intimidation, inadequate information on protection measures, stigmatization by the community along with lack of opportunities for economic empowerment are some of the factors that hold the victim from reporting to authorities.5 There is no proper reintegration mechanism. 13. Obtaining of evidence and protection of witness remains as outstanding key issues, thus the passing of Evidence Bill and Witness Protection Bill need to be expedited. 14. At present Safe Houses are established in 4 Atolls and in Male’. Ministry of Law and Gender is in the process of upgrading the present Family and Children Service Centres in every atoll to Safe Homes. It is important to note that these centres are under resourced. Since there is only one such centre in every atoll and due to geographical dispersion it is a challenge to provide outreach services and attend to cases promptly. 15. It has been 5 years since the ratification of Special Procedures for Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse Act (Law 12/2009), and government has fallen short to compile and publish child sexual offenders registry although it is specified under Article 57 of the Act. Although huge numbers of cases are lodged on child abuse, very few gets prosecuted and convicted. Also, the issue of children getting re‐victimised and continuously abused needs to be addressed and ensure efficiency of systems established to remove the child from the environment of abuse. The limited capacity of the state to accommodate abused children under state care needs to be resolved urgently. Recommendations • Take measures to implement DVP Act Page 6 of 35