Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that from 2020 to 27 November 2025, a total of 608 cases of domestic violence and family violence pertaining to 531 women, 20 children and 57 men have been reported to the Police in Rodrigues. The yearly breakdown is as follows – (i) 62 domestic violence and 2 family violence cases in 2020; (ii) 96 domestic violence and 2 family violence cases in 2021; (iii) 79 domestic violence and 9 family violence cases in 2022; (iv) 106 domestic violence and 3 family violence cases in 2023;

118 (v) 126 domestic violence and 7 family violence cases in 2024, and (vi) 113 domestic violence and 3 family violence cases as at 27 November 2025. I am further informed that a range of measures is being implemented in Rodrigues to prevent and address domestic and gender-based violence. The Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille works jointly with the Commission for Women’s Affairs, Child Development, Family Welfare, Consumer Protection and Handicraft, NGOs and the National Empowerment Foundation to provide a holistic response to this social ill. The following measures and actions have been implemented – (i) a one-stop shop has been established at Malabar where Police officers, the Family Protection Unit, the Child Development Unit, Family Counselling Officers and a psychologist work together to offer integrated support and assistance to victims; (ii) provision of immediate protection and temporary accommodation for victims of domestic violence at the Emergency Shelter operating under the Commission. This facility is being restructured into a Rehabilitation and Empowerment Home for women affected by traumatic experiences, with a view to offering more comprehensive support and long-term reintegration services; (iii) a hotline 117 operated on a 24/7 basis by the Commission; (iv) support to victims in terms of legal assistance through a dedicated Legal Resource Person to make applications for protection and occupation orders and provision of counselling on family issues; (v) sensitisation and awareness campaigns at community level and through the media; (vi) elaboration of an Action Plan by the Commission to combat social issues in Rodrigues and launching of the Rodrigues Gender Policy 2025–2030 in September 2025; (vii) implementation of various programmes such as Placement programmes and the SMART Farming Project to promote economic independence of victims, and (viii) promoting gender-equality through the “Maniere elvé tifi tigarson” programme implemented with Regroupman Fam Centre Carrefour and leadership programmes to empower women and girls.

119 The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, organised by the Parliamentary Gender Caucus, also saw the participation of the hon. Members of Parliament and participants from Rodrigues. I wish to reassure the House that Government remains firmly committed to a zero- tolerance policy and a victim-centered approach to domestic abuse. To further deter such offences and strengthen support for victims, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare is currently working on a new Domestic Abuse Bill to replace the existing Protection from Domestic Violence Act. As I have stated recently, laws alone cannot end violence. Real change requires a united whole-of-society effort including government, law enforcement, civil society, educators, the private sector, communities and families. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS – BANK CHARGES & COLLATERAL SECURITIES – REVIEW