Dili – Representatives of UNTAET and the Government of East Timor today held a press conference in Dili as part of an ongoing campaign to eradicate domestic violence.

UNTAET's Civilian Police Commissioner Peter Miller, Director of Human Rights Unit Patrick Burgess, and Maria Domingas Fernandes, the Chief Minister's Advisor for the Promotion of Equality all spoke at the event.

"Domestic violence is not a problem for the police alone. As a police service, we must recognize the devastating effect of domestic violence on our communities and we must take steps to address it," the Police Commissioner said.

Miller also quoted Chief Minister Marm Alkatiri, who last December said "Domestic violence is on the increase and lots of people consider beating a wife a private matter not to be discussed publicly...Our women and girls should enjoy their freedom without violence."

Maria Domingas Fernandes said that it would take time to eradicate domestic violence, and called for a spirit of peace to be built beginning in the home. She also stressed the "need to stop all forms of traditional justice and create formal mechanisms based on the law to protect women's rights."

Patrick Burgess stressed that domestic violence is primarily perpetrated by men, therefore "men are the ones who need to change mentalities – not to be violent, but also not to allow others around them to be violent."

According to the Civilian Police's Vulnerable Persons Unit there were 382 cases of domestic violence reported last year. However, this figure is believed to represent only 15% of the total cases.

Today's press conference, organised by UNTAET's Office of Communication and Public Information, is part of a nationwide campaign using television, radio and other media to disseminate information on domestic violence throughout each of East Timor's 13 districts. The campaign works in concert with the Vulnerable Person's Units in each district.