Counselling clinic for men suggested

By REBECCA KUKU
A HEALTH official has suggested that a clinic be set up specifically to offer counselling and rehabilitation to men.
Sebastian Robert, the Health Department’s gender and men’s technical adviser, said there were more than 17 family support centres in provinces around the country.
“The idea was to set up centres in all provincial health authorities, but I feel that we should also put up men-friendly clinics or desks where men can go to.”
“We have a duty to protect the survivors but we must also provide an avenue for men who in most cases are perpetrators, to help them get counselling, get rehabilitated,” he said.
Robert said the centres had referral pathways.
“If someone is brought into the Port Moresby General Hospital emergency department showing wounds as a result of gender-based violence, we isolate the patient brought in by the perpetrator, send the (latter) off on an errand (to allow us to) ask the patient if he or she needs help.
“And if they need help, or had sustained their injuries through violence, we then bring them to the centre.”
The centre has a network with the police family and sexual violence unit and make arrangements for the survivors to be placed in safe houses,” he said.
Robert said survivors could go to the centre if they needed help, just like outpatients departments in hospitals.