More awareness on domestic violence, sexual abuse planned

POLICE plan to carry out more awareness on domestic violence and sexual abuse of minors around the country, according to acting Deputy Police Commissioner (Administration) Joanne Clarkson.
“We also have plans to improve the standard and working environment for our Family Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU) officers to boost their morale to effectively deal with victims of violence,” she said.
The United Nation yesterday donated K80 million to the Government to address domestic violence in PNG.
Clarkson said funding allocated to the police would be used to strengthen the FSVU.
“Awareness in communities and schools is part of our programme because we must not be silent about it,” she said.
“People might think it’s normal for husbands to bash wives or vice versa. But that is not normal. It is violence against an individual especially in homes which is the safest place to be.”
Clarkson said police had to strengthen their networking with other government agencies which addressed domestic violence to ensure victims get justice.”
Police have also proposed to the Personnel Management department to have the FSVU properly structured under the Police department.
According to a United Nations report, about 70 per cent of women and children in PNG faced abuse at home. It is why the UN is providing K80million, of which the European Union contributed K22 million.