Moves underway to address family, sexual violence

 MOVES are underway to address family and sexual violence in the country, an official says.

At a Médecins Sans Frontières conference in Port Moresby last November, non-government organisations and representatives from 11 of the country’s 22 provinces committed themselves to a network of support services to address family and sexual violence.

MSF is already providing short-term help to a family support centre at Maprik hospital. 

“That’s given us a direct, hands-on sense of how things are developing there and that was one of the provinces at the conference,” MSF head of mission Paul Brockmann said.

He said patient numbers were increasing.

John Ericho, director of the Eastern Highlands non-government organisation Family Voice, told Guardian Australia that awareness of violence issues was increasing in the province where sorcery was still influential.

The organisation runs counselling, referral and education programmes.

“We go through the district visiting villages, churches and schools to raise awareness on family and sexual violence issues so people can help reduce the violence and make their communities safe,” Ericho told Guardian Australia.

“Their eyes are opened and they never knew that these services were available. 

“They did not know that the police have the Sexual Offences Unit or the hospital has a section to deal with domestic violence issues.”

Family Voice will present a report to the Government on the results of the advice it received after its conference presentation on ending violence sparked by claims and accusations of sorcery.”