Commission launches revised domestic violence policy

The National National
The launch of the Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) Domestic Violence Policy with (from left) acting director of the gender-based violence secretariat at the Department of Community Development and Religion Marilyne Kajoe, gender equity and social inclusion officer at the CLRC Vincent Gigmai, superintendent of the Family and Sexual Violence Unit Delilah Sandeka and CLRC deputy secretary Dorothy Mimiko-Kesenga in Port Moresby yesterday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

By LULU MAGINDE
THE Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) has recently revised its domestic violence policy to ensure that staff or any person engaged with CLRC is safe in the workplace.
The policy, originally launched in 2012, was intended to protect the safety of all domestic violence victims and their co-workers in promoting and maintaining a safe, healthy workplace, free from violence or threats.
CLRC deputy secretary Dorothy Mimiko-Kesenga said: “Domestic violence knows no barriers, it creeps into the work place and is not only the family’s problem, but because it can affect the organisation and you on a personal level.
“Domestic violence comes in various forms; physical, sexual, psychological and economical and so if we look at it in that context, we can appreciate that it’s a national and sectorial issue as well and the issue is so big we cannot equate it to a number.”
Through their policy, CLRC had prioritised this form of violence as an important agenda, in the hope to also raise awareness through the organisation and partner agencies that domestic violence would not be tolerated either at the work place or anywhere else.
“If we don’t take the first step then who else will?” Dorothy said.
“By joining hands to make this a collaborative effort, it becomes everyone’s business and if everyone is talking about it, we can then deal with it on a grander scale.
“Although we cannot take your reports of any offences committed against you, we are essentially saying that we are here to provide a safe environment and give you that comfort to be able to talk about what’s affecting you at home or in the office if necessary,” she said.
The policy encompassed basic information needed for anyone who felt like they would like that help and was brave enough to reach out.