A police unit in Port Moresby has come to the aid of Ruth Apinas, the mother of three who endured a horrific decade of violent abuse from her husband.
Ruth met with domestic abuse coordinator of the Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) unit Sgt Job Eremugo today at their office at Gordon’s Police Barracks.
Ruth reported that since she has spoken out, she continues to receive threats from her husband via calls and text messages.
Eremugo confirmed that the matter is now with his unit and will be taken up to the chief magistrate for the family court.
He will represent Ruth to seek a restraining order that was set aside by the family court in Port Moresby only two months after she obtained it.
Eremugo said the Family Protection Bill 2013 is in place and must be implemented to reduce the high rate of violence against women in the country.
The Family Protection Act:
- Criminalises domestic violence and gives legislative backing for interim protection orders;
- Allows neighbours, relatives and children to report domestic violence; and
- Gives police the power to remove perpetrators from their homes to protect the victim.
Eremugo said it is essential to ensure that women like Ruth are not vulnerable to more violence and other human rights abuses at home.
Penalties for breach of the Act include fines of up to K5000 and a two-year imprisonment.