Madam Speaker, protection from domestic violence is governed under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. Cases of domestic violence may be reported to the Police directly or to the Family Support Services of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, which thereafter refers the cases to the Police. In regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that since November 2024 to 05 November 2025, a total of 4,127 cases of domestic violence have been reported to the Police for enquiry, out of which, 3,042 cases involved physical violence. Following enquiry into these cases, 2,103 persons have been charged with offences in breach of the Protection from Domestic Violence Act. In regard to part (c) of the question, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act makes provisions for different types of restraining orders, namely Protection Orders, Occupation Orders, Tenancy Orders and Ancillary Orders. These orders are issued by the relevant District Courts upon application made by the victims after a hearing is held. Madam Speaker, since November 2024 to 05 November 2025, a total of 970 Interim Protection Orders have been issued by the relevant District Courts to 131 males and 839 females. An Interim Protection Order is issued by the Court where there is a serious risk of harm being caused to the aggrieved spouse even before the respondent spouse is heard. An Interim Protection Order, unless the Court directs otherwise, remains in force until such time as the Court makes a final pronouncement on the application of the Protection Order. After hearing the aggrieved spouse and the respondent spouse, the Court may convert the Interim Protection Order into a final Protection Order which shall remain in force for such period, not exceeding 24 months, as the Court may specify. Upon application, the District Court may also issue a Protection Order after hearing the parties. For the period November 2024 to 05 November 2025, I am informed that a total of 454 Protection Orders has been issued by the relevant District Courts under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act, out of which, 54 Protection Orders have been granted to male victims and 400 to female victims.

31 As regards Occupation, Tenancy and Ancillary Orders, I am informed that no applications for such orders have been received by the Police. Madam Speaker, I wish to reassure the House that this Government will adopt a zero- tolerance policy and a victim-oriented approach to domestic abuse. To this effect, with a view to deterring domestic violence, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare is presently working on a new Domestic Abuse Bill to replace the existing Protection from Domestic Violence Act to strengthen the support for victims. Furthermore, the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Mauritius Police Force provides assistance to children and women, victims of violence and abuse who solicit Police help. The Brigade also works together with the Family Support Services of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare to deal with cases related to Gender-Based Violence. Furthermore, the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare jointly carry out regular sensitisation campaigns throughout the island to raise public awareness and understanding on domestic violence. These awareness campaigns are being delivered in workplaces in the private and public sectors, schools as well as community centres, and in Non-Governmental Organisations, amongst others. Talks are also held on TV and radio programmes. These are essential components of what we are doing.

Yes, supplementary!

Madam Speaker, the figures are alarming. In fact, the official figures with regard to domestic violence, physical violence on woman, show that there has been an increase in the trend. This is confirmed now. 73% of the cases reported, according to your figures given, concern physical violence. I would like to know how many out of these were committed/perpetrated against women, if the Prime Minister has the answer?

The data.

I thought I had given the figures.

Yes, he has given?

I will look for it. I had given the figures, but you want to know exactly the number against women?

32

It does not matter.

Okay.

It does not matter. The point being, the hon. Prime Minister will realise that there is an issue – an alarming, increasing trend. Since 2022 to date, the trend is increasing. From the figures he has given us, only 15% of the domestic physical violence cases result in a Protection Order. So, from 3,042, only 454 for this year have resulted in a Protection Order. And these are les lacunes de la loi. It is too timely, too complicated, and people are dissuaded at the level of the police station itself from going forward. The new law, which was prepared since 2003, is still being awaited. Will the Prime Minister now, having heard those figures, make it his mission to have that new law passed and enacted as soon as possible? Time is being wasted on this.

I just said that the hon. Minister for Gender is looking at it as a whole. They are going to bring new corrections to that. That is what I said earlier.

May I ask a question?

Okay, carry on. Then, I will say a word.

Madam Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister if he will see to it, at the level of the police stations, that there is – (1) the proper staffing as is required: female officers being present to help put those complainants at ease, and (2) that they are given the proper training and incentives, the police officers, so that they take care of those victims, even when there are repeated complainants, who are too often turned away? So, will he see to it that this is a priority, given the alarming trend?

I should remind the hon. Member – I do not want to do political scoring –, but for ten years, everything was allowed like this. Everything! We have taken a country un peu en décomposition.

It is getting worse!

33

Yes, but for ten years, this is the result. This is what we have inherited.

It has been one year; it is getting worse.

The hon. Minister is doing her best, believe me. But we have inherited this situation.

The law was…

So, we are… Yes, 2023, you just said. I did say that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare is presently working on a new Domestic Abuse bill. Precisely because they want to strengthen the support for victims. This is what is being done. An hon. Member: Ancien minis gender…

Privilege of Speaker, please! May I just say a few words? Because both Members, who have spoken today, have spoken about violence. And in this first case, was violence against that young girl, and both Members are member of the Gender Caucus. I just want to tell everybody that you will be receiving very soon the programme of what the Gender Caucus itself, which means the National Assembly – the Prime Minister knows a bit about it and the Minister as well – we are organising, with the United Nations and the UNDP, a big event between 25 November, which is the date of the elimination of gender-based violence and 10 December, which is Human Rights Day. We are having a big event where I would like all of you to come with your friends because it is going to touch on all these issues of sensitisation because we have to keep on sensitising on the issue of violence, unfortunately. So, I am telling you now. I am very proud that two members of the Gender Caucus have spoken this morning. Thank you. Next, I am calling on hon. Lukeeram! FORMER PRIME MINISTER – ADVISERS – NAMES & PAY PACKAGES – PERIOD 2015-NOVEMBER 2024