1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain

Counselling staff undergo training

The 1-tok kaunselin helpim lain is managed by ChildFund Papua New Guinea and has been operational since 2015, providing a 24-hour telephone counselling service to survivors of gender-based violence, including child protection and trafficking in persons (TiP) across Papua New Guinea.

At the request of ChildFund Papua New Guinea, IOM delivered sessions to hotline staff in coordination with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and A21.

1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain

A report by the 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain, highlighted a 75% increase in callers seeking information on COVID-19 or reporting instances of violence that were later found to be COVID-19 related.  

Thus a recent workshop facilitated by the Media Development Initiative to discuss the issue of COVID-19 Misinformation and Risk of Violence Against Women and Girls, saw Kinime David, the Manager of 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain, present a report generated by the helpline.

Toll free counselling service makes difference

Launched by ChildFund Papua New Guinea in 2015, in partnership with CIMC (FSVAC) and FHI 360, analysis of call data for the last 12 months found that the top three issues for callers were:

The call that changed it all

In PNG, when we talk about GBV, we think of men as perpetrators, says Wesh Siku.

He is the project coordinator for 1-Tok Kaunselin with Child Fund PNG.

He says 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain project was set up to help women and children going through Family and Sexual Violence. 

But with the launch of the project in August 20, the first call in was from a man.

Two more calls that followed were also from men.  

“That made us to stop and think,” he said.

Now, almost 2 years, the centre has had well over 6000 calls, 50 percent of which are from men.

​Interns to help survivors on Kaunselin Helpim Line

The 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain – 7150 8000 – was launched in August 2015 and delivers a comprehensive counselling and referral service for survivors of family and sexual violence (FSV) through a national toll-free hotline, providing survivors and their families an immediate and comprehensive support package.

The package includes access to information, referral to nearby service providers and personal and confidential counselling at the time of the call.

​NZ envoy impressed with1-Tok Kaunselin

The 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain is a telephone counselling initiative implemented by ChildFund, with funding from the New Zealand Aid program.

Ms Mackwell, who has a social work background and was involved with setting up a children’s helpline in New Zealand, asked the counsellors questions about the kinds of calls they received. Counsellors told her about the important role they play in providing counselling, safety planning and connecting clients to a range of other services across the nation.

PNG phone counsellors saving lives

A female caller from Lae rang 715-08000, the freecall hotline number. Her violent husband had just stabbed her father and also attacked her mother.

The phone counsellor who took the call quickly provided initial crisis counselling and stayed on the phone. With permission from the caller, two other counsellors tried contacting local organisations, the police, family support agencies and the nearest hospital.

Calls to these organisations rang out so the counsellors contacted a local security firm. A senior guard on call contacted his team nearest to the location to assist.

Public reminded to seek help at violence support hotline

This follows International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that will be commemorated on Wednesday 25 November.

The hotline is funded by the New Zealand government’s Aid Programme, United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) and ChildFund Australia.

ChildFund PNG stated that the progress made by the service in combating family and sexual violence had  now been recognised by the Papua New Guinean government.

Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development Delilah Gore has voiced her support for the toll-free hotline.