Domestic violence survivor welcomes new FSV unit at Waigani

By LOTTIE WAYAGURE
THE new Family and Sexual Violence Unit in Waigani provides access to justice and support for survivors.
“I am thankful for this new office because of the services it provides,” Rita Tambin, a domestic violence survivor, said.
The new office opened on Dec 10 and is funded by the Australian government to address reports from Tokarara, Ensisi Valley, June Valley, Morata and the University of Papua New Guinea.
“I am glad we have an FSV unit ourselves instead of going as far as Gerehu to ask for help,” Tambin said.
Tambin, who lives at Morata, told The National that some women faced problems everyday but did not have the confidence to ask for help or didn’t know where the office was.
“I hope having an FSV unit office of its own can change their mind and help themselves do something about their problem,” she said.
The standalone unit will give FSV survivors a place where they can report assaults and seek advice and support in privacy, comfort and safety.
“The new facility is important in safeguarding survivors of FSV, providing easy access to justice and protection services in a secure and more comfortable environment,” said police officer Mary-Louise Avu who is attached to the unit.
Avu said the unit handled up to 25 inquiries and complaints a day and operated out of an office in the main police station building before getting its own office.
There are now 25 FSV units in operation, with a total of 106 police officers attached to them.