Course for female staff

 By DELLYANNE ILAI 

INCREASED awareness to deal with domestic violence is vital as nearly two thirds of women in the country are affected daily, a police investigator says. 

Chief Sgt Kalamana Tokiong of the police internal investigations unit said the rate of domestic violence rises weekly and women struggled to report cases. 

She said even police officers were challenged when trying to help victims. 

The police internal investigation unit and Sexual Offence Squad held their first domestic violence education awareness last week. 

It was hosted by Guard Dog Security Services (GDSS) Limited in Port Moresby. 

“This is the first approach and a way forward for a private organisation who can open up to educate workers as women contribute equally with the same amount in nation building,” Tokiong told The National.

Thirty GDSS female staff attended the half-day workshop and were taught on the types of domestic violence including sexual, physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, social and technological (text messages).

The workshop was facilitated by officer in charge of Sexual Offence Squad Senior Sgt Fiona Kakarere.

Kakarere told The National that there was an increase in incidences of sexual abuse recently where women and children became victims. 

“Law and order has been changing and women can feel free to report cases to police. We are happy to educate women in private organisations,” she said.

GDSS managing director Dale Smith said promoting gender equality and minimising barriers to the fullest within the workforce had been the company’s priority. 

She said the safety and security of women was necessary within the workforce to ensure they focus and work according to their ability.

GDSS female representative Mayo Karl said the awareness was the first of its kind and the information was helpful on how to go about domestic violence as well as understanding the causes and effects.

There are nearly 5000 employees (men and women) of GDSS who are yet to undergo the programme.

Unfortunately, law enforcing agencies also abused women either physcially or sexually.