Sexual violence cases are very common in the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea.
This was revealed by the Family Support Centre based at the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN).
The centre treats over 1000 survivors of domestic and sexual violence in a year, with about 40 patients a month.
The centre reports that more than half of the monthly survivors are children under the age of 16.
FSC also revealed that pack rapes and paedophile cases are becoming very common.
FSC clinical manager Tessie Soi said the figures are quite alarming, especially in NCD, which is known as a mini PNG.
Soi said we need to speak openly about it and encourage people to recognise that these issues are really happening in the communities.
“I urge everyone to be careful and if you ever get into these situations, come to the FSC immediately and we will help you.
“If you know of anyone sexually violated, bring them to the centre within the 72 hours to prevent HIV, pregnancy, hepatitis and tetanus.
“We will then continue with the physiological first aid, which is counselling, to inform the survivors that they’re not at fault, especially the children,” Soi said.
The centre is open 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and on the weekends, the emergency department is open for intervention of survivors.
“Although we can medically treat the person, the counselling has to continue because it’s the after effects that will affect a person for life,” she added.
FSC is under the social work department of POMGEN, with a good referral system to the NCD welfare and to the refuge homes.
Caption: Women seeking refuge at Haus Ruth, a shelter for abused women and children. Picture courtesy of www.childfund.org.au