The Tongan study shows that violence against women is prevalent:
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79% of Tongan women and girls have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
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68% of Tongan women and girls are affected by physical violence perpetrated by mainly their fathers or teachers.
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33% of married or ever partnered women are victims of physical violence.
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17% of married or ever partnered women are victims of sexual violence.
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24% of married or ever partnered women are subject to emotional violence.
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Perpetrators of violence are just as likely to be well respected and educated Tongan men.
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83% of women agreed that a good wife obeys her husband even if she disagrees.
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56% of all respondents (women and men) agreed with the statement that a husband could beat his wife if she was unfaithful.
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Between 73% and 83% of women believe that a wife has the right to refuse sex if the husband is drunk, if she is sick, or if he mistreats her. Fewer women (61%) believe that a wife can refuse sex if she does not want to.
The results of the study highlight the perception among women that the domestic violence they experience is caused by:
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Shifting values of extended family life.
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Shifting nature of kinship relations.
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Extra-marital affairs.
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Alcohol.
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Living with the extended family.
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Hardship and economic factors.
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Being young and unprepared for married life.
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Having children outside of marriage.
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Gender roles and power dynamics between men and women in Tongan society.
