Evaluation should either be conducted by an independent, external team of researchers/evaluators, or by an independent coordination body. Oversight bodies – independent bodies/observatories on violence against women – led by expert stakeholders, were a recommendation from the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (2008) and are well placed to monitor and evaluate the performance of government, national institutions and other structures in relation to coordination.
In the Australian Capital Territory (Australia), under the Victims of Crime Act in 1996 the Victims of Crime Coordinator was established as an independent statutory position to promote victim/survivors’ rights. The Act post-holder provides strategic direction, planning and evaluation services to the Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP).