Fund assists police to fight sexual abuse

Story and picture by ZACHERY PER
VICTIMS of sexual abuses need professional counselling to regain dignity and respect.
Eastern Highlands provincial police commander Supt Augustine Wampe pointed this out while receiving new office equipment valued at more than K23,000 from the Goroka-based Save the Children Fund on Wednesday.
“Sexual abuses on under-aged children by adults is on the rise, police officers attached with the sexual and family violence squad need support and equipment to adequately deal with the victims,” he said.
“I take this time to thank Save the Children on behalf of the police commissioner and assistant police commissioner Highlands for the presentation of the equipment,” Wampe said.
He said the police force could not provide working tools such as computers for the officers and  support from organisations such as Save the Children was encouraging.
Criminal Investigation Department officer John Daviaga said investigations were delayed on many occasions because of the lack of proper equipment.
Country director for Save the Children James Gibson said the organisation was committed to ensuring children and women had a safer place to live.
He said the fund was happy to support the sexual offences and family violence squad.
The equipment included a photocopy machine, computer, printer, a white board, three tables, a filing cabinet and eight chairs.