Fund efforts to end violence

DOMESTIC and family violence is endemic worldwide and Papua New Guinea is no exception.
Countries have systems in place to address this issue.
In PNG, we also have system of help available to assist any of those in a violent relationship.
However in reality, the process is not encouraging and many gave up.
Despite legislations, rules and process on matters relating to gender based violence being amended to be user friendly in terms of taking matters to courts, there is still more work to be done.
All this point back to funding.
Funding is needed to support all efforts to prevent and end violence against women, girls, and the old and even men.
Domestic violence will continue to be an issue unless the Government works in partnership with concerned stakeholders and partners.
Counter funding should be provided.
Former governments have failed to protect victims of family violence.
Women are left unprotected, even when they have gone to great lengths to seek help.
Governments have neglected survivors’ needs for safety, services and justice and women often had no choice but to live with abusive partners.
We have reported on women giving up hope while waiting for assistance at police stations.
There should be a standard guide made public informing victims of violence on how they can seek help – referral pathways.
Saying it on paper is easier said then actually having the services and people available to assist.
We acknowledge the support from our overseas donor especially on the technical help in setting up the process.
The challenge now is on this and future governments to provide reliable and steady funding so the technical plans actually come to reality.
Those who are in the system will say there are services for survivors of family and sexual violence with referral pathways already available – the police (Family Sexual Violence Unit), the health sector response, family support centre, village court safe houses, and legal support from public solicitors, public prosecutors and churches.
The question is how effective are these services? Are they accessible at any time of the day/night?
Are there sections at the respective hospitals for victims, where they are attended to and issued a medical report to support their police complaints? What about counsellors? They should be available to quickly assess the cases and advise police.
Some may need to spend a night or two at a safe house.
It is already traumatising and many victims are emotionally affected. And that is the most dangerous part of it all.
We can boast about such services but if it not assessable, then it is time we relook at our strategies in tackling this complex issue.
Let us not forget that those who provide such services should be financially supported in terms of training, properly compensated for the hours they put and their safety also guaranteed.
It is time the FSVU in the police department is accorded the recognition it deserves to become a directorate of the PNG Royal Constabulary.
Police officers should attend to the victims immediately, make an initial report, take them to the hospital and ensure they are attended to and are safe and then return to the station to complete the report with the medical report as evidence.
If the Government is serious about the welfare of women and children to address family and sexual violence, funding should be allocated with strings attached that it should only be used on this issue and not diverted elsewhere.