Crime in Tuvalu

Tuvalu's criminal framework includes the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Dangerous Drugs Act including its 2025 amendment, Arms and Ammunition Act, Public Order laws, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act, and the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act. The Tuvalu Police Force is responsible for preserving law and order, protecting life and property, and preventing and detecting crime. Falekaupule and Kaupule also have duties to support prevention and detection and should refer criminal conduct to the Police. Community mediation may help with some disputes, but it does not replace Police action when there is danger, violence or a possible offence. Call Police emergency number 911 when there is immediate danger. A report can be made at a Police station on the island where the complainant lives, where the alleged offender lives or where the offence occurred. A domestic-violence complaint may be made by the complainant or by an informed person. With consent, a family member or friend, social or community worker, legal practitioner, counsellor, healthcare provider or school head may help make the report. Reporting as soon as possible supports evidence preservation; without a report, the Police may not investigate. A person who gives domestic-violence information in good faith has legal protection from civil or criminal liability. The Police contact number cited in sexual-assault guidance is +688 20725. The Police Powers and Duties Act 2022, revised, regulates police powers such as investigation, warrants, searches, arrest, evidence handling and notices to appear. When there is reasonable suspicion of domestic violence or a related risk, the Police may issue a Police order or explain in writing why they do not issue one. A Police order can require weapons to be surrendered, a person to leave a residence, or a person to stop contact, approaching, harassment, stalking or interference with property. Breaches can lead to further Police or court action. The Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act allows protection-order applications orally, by telephone or radiotelephone, in writing, by fax or by email. A court can accept an application outside ordinary hours when waiting would cause undue hardship. An emergency protection order lasts up to 72 hours and may be extended once for another 72 hours; a temporary protection order can last 30 days, and an interim order can last up to two years. A final order may address accommodation, custody, maintenance, compensation, weapons and counselling or support conditions. A child of the victim is automatically protected under the relevant protection-order framework. Victims can seek legal advice or representation from the People's Lawyer, also known as Ofisa o Loia o Tino, in criminal and family matters. The Attorney-General maintains a register of approved counsellors, and the Gender Affairs Department and We Care Guidelines support a survivor-centred, coordinated first response to gender-based violence. Medical and forensic capacity is limited: Funafuti Hospital and trained nurses on outer islands can provide available care, but a complete forensic examination, treatment or medication after rape or sexual assault may require referral to Fiji or Australia. Transport, treatment and other costs must be clarified for the individual case rather than assumed to be free. The current legislation index does not show a dedicated national cybercrime Act or a verified operating Tuvalu CERT. The National ICT Policy 2021 proposed cybercrime legislation and a CERT, while the ICT Department and Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation provide relevant prevention and communications functions. For scams, hacking or a data breach, preserve messages, account records, payment details and device information, contact the relevant service provider and report the matter to the Police; do not claim that a CERT is currently available unless its operation has been confirmed. A child is under 18 for the relevant safeguards. Police questioning should occur only with practicable access to a relative, friend or lawyer and with that support present, and penalty notices must not be issued to children. A child can receive support in a domestic-violence complaint. Restrictions on Movement of Children at Night Regulations exist, but their local application should be confirmed rather than assumed. Publicly available evidence does not establish a current national Police crime time series for Tuvalu. The Central Statistics Division publishes census and survey material rather than continuous crime statistics. The 2019–20 MICS reported lifetime physical, sexual or emotional intimate-partner violence among ever-married or partnered women aged 15–49 at 44%, and violence during the previous 12 months at 34%; non-partner sexual violence was reported at 11% over a lifetime and 1% during the previous 12 months. A US State Department source describes the crime rate as low, but that description is not a current prevalence measure and should not be used to rank islands or dismiss under-reporting. Practical safety concerns include domestic and gender-based violence, sexual violence, children, alcohol- or drug-related incidents, property security and online scams. Tuvalu's small population does not remove risk, and centralised services and transport between Funafuti and outer islands can delay a response. Early reporting, safe preservation of evidence and direct contact with the Police are therefore more reliable than relying only on informal arrangements.