No support for responders

MORE women will continue to be assaulted or tortured, or, lose their lives due to sorcery accusations, three Dames say.
“The sad state of affairs is due to inadequate resources of the relevant agencies and frontline responders to effectively tackle the issue,” Dames Carol Kidu, Meg Taylor and Jean Kekedo said in a joint-statement.
“The right to freedom from inhumane treatment is enshrined in our Constitution and so we urge all Papua New Guineans to speak up against sorcery accusation-related violence (Sarv).”
Acknowledging the tireless efforts of local human rights defenders and advocates, they urged the relevant Government agencies and local leaders to work with and strengthen community networks as accusations were more likely to happen in families and communities.
“The Government must take proactive measures to ensure that the police, other key agencies and first responders have adequate resources to prevent and respond to Sarv,” they said.
Reminding the men in the country of their vital roles to protect their sisters and mothers during times of danger, they asked: “Where are the brothers of those women who were or have been tortured or worse, killed?”
“We acknowledge the role of certain mainline churches in advocating against women who are accused of sorcery and protecting them.
“Churches must commit to the national church strategy to address Sarv by speaking out against it.
“The Government and country should support the work of human rights defenders who continue to be at the forefront of advocacy, rescues and repatriation of Sarv survivors.”
Recognising the country’s widespread belief in sorcery, the Dames stressed that the latest act of violence would not be the last until people start to take serious ownership of the issue at all levels of Government and society.