offenders and the establishment of multi‐sectoral mechanism amongst the relevant stakeholders to address the issue. 17. According to the Penal Code, in the absence of a confession a person can only be convicted of rape, if there were two male or four female witnesses to the act. The factors contributing to the low conviction rate of offenders of sexual assault or rape include absence of Evidence Act, lack of provisions (fear of reprisals by abusers) on witness protections, finding witnesses (two male or equivalent women), and lack of awareness among public on the topic. Often times, victims are unaware of measures that need to be taken after they have been victims of such crimes. For example, most victims lack information that they should seek medical attention before any evidence is depleted, and refrain from washing themselves or taking showers before they do so. In addition, lack of national guideline on medico‐legal documentation, failures in implementation of existing laws and procedures leading to re‐victimization of the victim and also fear of intimidation and of being stigmatized by the community are factors that account for lower convictions of sexual offenders. 19. Maldives lack a proper rehabilitation system that could help victims of violence in providing psychological and rehabilitation support: Department of Gender and Family [now Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights as of 2012 (MoGFHR)] has been working to establish a safe house or temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence since 2007. Till date there is no such facility established, by MoGFHR. However, they do accommodate some of the victims in one way or another within the existing institutions e.g. FCPD. 20. State needs to undertake all measures to address the issues of Violence Against Women (VAW) as in the newly enacted Domestic Violence Act. It is important to establish a mechanism to provide justice, protection and rehabilitation to victims of violence, in order to fulfil State’s obligation to protect victims subjected to violence. Chapter: Article 3: Equal Rights of Men and Women 18. Despite the fact that Domestic Violence Act (3/2012) was a major breakthrough in prevention and protecting victims of abuse, the country is yet to experience positive progress in providing justice and protection to victims of violence. The government stakeholders need to disseminate and raise awareness of the Domestic Violence Act to the general public, especially to women population. There have been attempts to downplay the importance of prevention of domestic violence by some scholars on religious grounds with the enactment of Domestic Violence Act. 12