Family Sexual Violence

BSP 3-year support of Grass Skirt Project

Both are working together to implement the ‘Grass Skirt Project: 10 Million Strong Leadership Program. The program was launched at Badihagwa Secondary School in Port Moresby.

The aim of the project is to spark student’s ability to identify red flags and cultivate environmental awareness on family, sexual and gender-based violence in their communities. 

The 10 Million Strong Leadership Program nurtures open communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional intelligence while reinforcing good behaviour and providing opportunities for youth development.

No Place for Violence in Sports

The Board Chairman of SP Brewery, Ed Wegemans, made an important point in his keynote address that there is no place for violence in sports. 

He said, “Violence is a common enemy. It is not only a law and order issue; it is also a development issue in Papua New Guinea. Family Sexual Violence, Sorcery Accused Violence, and Domestic Violence and other forms of violence has no place in Sports and has no place in Papua New Guinea.” 

More survivors treated

Prior to the new building’s opening in March 2019, the FSC could only assist about 15 people a day. Now the Centre can assist an additional 12 people a day while maintaining privacy and offering a safe space for survivors.

FSC Nurse Manager, Sister Anastacia Wakon, said the poor condition of the previous building impeded the FSC staff’s ability to respond to the increasing number of survivors presenting for treatment. The facility was too small for the number of clients treated, the roof leaked, and the centre flooded when it rained.

Survivors have legal rights: Family Protection Act

Police awareness on Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) and the FPA in the Popondetta town area, in settlements, villages and in local government wards and districts is helping perpetrators and survivors to understand that survivors have legal rights to protect themselves and their children against abuse and mistreatment.

Since 2012, over 1000 people have accessed the service which resulted in the courts issuing more than 300 interim protection orders to women reported facing persistent domestic violence.

No one should go through this: Police officer

29-year-old Josie Kikoli, who is attached with the downtown Port Moresby Family Sexual Violence Unit, last week bravely spoke of her ordeal where she suffered a nasty beating that left her unconscious and badly wounded.

The 29-year-old police officer almost lost her life when her ex-partner and father of her 18-month-old daughter beat her up three weeks ago.

Concern for family sexual violence support

The Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Jim Andrews, revealed there is a huge disparity between cases reported and convictions made.

Andrews says most cases do not run their full course because the victims withdraw them, adding that in most cases, the offender is often the main provider so the victim has no choice.

The DCP says there is a real need to give them that option that whatever level of support they are getting from the offender, this should be continued by the State through the trial and beyond.

New toolkit for advocates

The newly-developed community resources come in the form of flip charts and safety cards.

They are the end product of a series of consultations between Consultative Implementation & Monitoring Council-Family Sexual Violence Action Committee (CIMC-FSVAC), partners and stakeholders including the Department for Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) and Justice Services and Stability for Development (JSS4D).

This resource is called the survivor advocate toolkit and will help the advocate assist survivors of FSV through accessing support and justice / legal service.

Huafolo: Think of abused women today

Deputy Police Commissioner Administration Raphael Huafolo was speaking during the launch of an evaluation report of the 17 Family sexual violence units throughout the country.

He said the majority of survivors dealt with are women and whilst many will be celebrating this day around the world, many PNG mothers, sisters and daughters are suffering because of violence in the family.

He called on everyone to stand together and unite in the fight to end violence against our womenfolk.