Working group to address domestic violence in the Pacific

Eleven Pacific countries will form a working group to try and address the region's problems with domestic violence.

The group was the result of a meeting of senior civil servants and representatives from anti-violence groups.

The Pacific Community said at least 60 percent of women in Melanesia, 44 percent in Micronesia, and 43 percent in Polynesia will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

The director of its rights resource team, Miles Young, said a collaborative approach was needed.

"The regional working group will be set up to help countries which have domestic violence legislation or family protection legislation more effectively implement the legislation. So it will look at how they can develop or possibly even implement common regional strategies and initiatives."