The Family Health and Safety Study aimed to obtain reliable data on the prevalence and frequency of different types of violence against women in the Cook Islands. The study also sought to: document the associations between partner violence and health issues, as well as other outcomes; identify risk and protective factors for partner violence; understand women’s perceptions about violence against women; and explore coping strategies used by women who have experienced violence. The methodology of the study builds on the WHO Multicountry Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women, which combines quantitative and qualitative components. The WHO methodology adheres to international ethical and safety standards for research on VAW and ensures data comparability across countries.

This fact sheet presents the key facts regarding violence against women in the Cook Islands.