5. There was an increase in services acquired for GBV/DV cases with the ease of lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic, which could be an indication that cases increased during the lockdown period.12 6. Challenges for investigation of VAW included lack of capacity and sensitivity among IOs, limited atoll-based female IOs, lack of sufficient evidence, limited atoll-based magistrates, lengthy trials and perpetrators holding positions of power.13 7. There are inconsistencies in interpretation and codifying DVPA among institutions. 14 8. As DV itself is not regarded as a criminal offence under DVPA, prosecutors fall back on other legislations to prosecute DV. Cases of VAW prosecuted remained low; only 14% of VAW cases lodged at MPS were sent for prosecution.15 A total of 60 cases were prosecuted between 2016 and 2019, of which only 10 cases resulted in a conviction.16 Challenges included victims and witnesses retracting statements following pressure from family, relatives or perpetrators.17 Witness Protection Bill and new Evidence Bill are yet to be enacted. 9. The four established shelters for survivors of DV18 were neither functional nor equipped with staff and amenities to accommodate survivors.19 Survivors in atolls have limited or no access to psycho-social support.20 10. While the complaints mechanism under GEA has reportedly been established in 38 institutions,21 stakeholders in the atolls were unaware of the requirement to establish this mechanism.22 5