Advocate: Helping SARV survivors is emotionally, psychologically draining

A WOMAN who is one of the strongest advocates against sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) says helping survivors is “emotionally and psychologically draining”.
Ruth Kissam also questioned where the money allocated by the Government for SARV work had gone to, as news of five more women tortured and killed in Enga and Southern Highlands emerged.
“Money paid into (the) Community Development (Department) for the work evaporates into thin air. The Government gives the money but where does it go to?” she said. “We can keep talking until our mouths hurt.
“We can keep rescuing (women) and put ourselves in danger. We can report to the police but they will ask for fuel money or for a car. We can go to court but police want us to pay for everything.
“Where there is no house, human rights defenders use our homes to house survivors.”
She said her own money was being used (to rescue women).
“It is becoming a personal business,” Kissam said.
“I am confused as to who this job belongs to, who is to provide safety and law and order for the people.
“I am tired of saying the same thing over and over and not getting the results we need.
“To my friends and colleagues, if I don’t respond, I am feeling the pain in my heart.
“But I am too weak to be part of another rescue operation where we are not getting the justice we deserve.” She said police needed money, fuel and vehicles to rescue women and prosecute SARV offenders.
“Human rights defenders keep putting lives on the line rescuing and repatriating women.
“The sad thing is, even after all the trouble we go to take survivors to safety, there is no justice for them at all.”