Churches called to do more awareness on sexual violence

CHURCHES should be engaged in doing more awareness on child protection to help families and others to become aware of their responsibility towards children, a church head says.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG (ELCPNG) head bishop, Rev Dr Jack Urame said churches needed to extend their mission to strengthening marriages and families because they were God’s gifts.
“Church workers should attend to those who are affected by sexual violence and do counselling or provide this kind of service where families and individuals who are affected by sexual abuse can get help and rebuild their lives,” he said.
“The churches have a mission to promote the welfare of young children. Children are the future of our society and our nation. We cannot abuse our children today and expect a healthy generation, a happy family and a better nation tomorrow. If we want a better future for our nation, we need to protect our children and invest in them now.”
Urame said pastors should not be silent but be engaged in the issue.
He said they could use their pastoral duty as an opportunity to address sexual violence, especially against minors, who are not able to defend themselves from perpetrators.
“They should assist community leaders and the courts to bring perpetrators of sexual violence to proper venues to seek justice,” Urame said.
“The government should impose strong penalties on perpetrators of sexual violence.
“Those found guilty of this crime should be given long jail terms.”