Domestic violence is the most common type of abuse affecting women in Papua New Guinea.
This was revealed in a report launched today by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) titled Return to Abuser.
The report includes data from more than 3,000 survivors of family and sexual violence that MSF treated in 2014-15 in its two projects in Tari, Hela Province and Port Moresby.
Data collected showed the vast majority of patients, 2 820 treated, were female and the most common form of violence was at the hands of partners.
More than a quarter of these women had been threatened with death.
MSF Head of Mission Angelika Herb said reform of some crucial policies and laws to assist survivors of violence have been achingly slow with devastating results.
Despite improvements to address family and sexual violence in PNG, in many areas of the country survivors are left to suffer in silence without access to the care, justice or protection they require.
“Without an escalated response from authorities, women will remain trapped in violent relationships, unable to remove themselves or their children from harm.
“Vulnerable minors who are raped or beaten in their homes will continue to be returned to their abusers,” said Herb.
She said medical assistance, while vital, will be relegated to patching survivors up between abuse sessions.
“Return to Abuser” details how a dire lack of protection mechanisms, a weak justice system and a culture of impunity endanger the health and lives of patients even if they manage to reach medical care.
MSF operations manager Christian Katzer called on the government to seriously address the issue and put in place at each province a specialist unit at police stations, welfare officers and safe houses.
The report will be presented to the National Government, Department of Community Development, provincial governments and other responsible authorities this week.