Number of survivors seeking help on the rise

Survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and people seeking help from the national counselling call centre have rapidly increased in three years, says ChildFund PNG.
Reports presented yesterday showed that PNG’s first national toll-free telephone counselling service — 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain — has received more than 15,000 calls in its third year of operation.
This was more than double the calls received in the past two years.
The highest proportion of calls in the past year came from National Capital District, Southern Highlands, Hela and Morobe.
“After the Highlands earthquake in late February, the helpline was mobilised to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support for people affected by the earthquake, which accounts for high call volumes from these areas,” it said.
Over half, 56 per cent, of callers were male who called the helpline not as survivors but mostly witnesses of gender-based violence or individuals seeking information or relationship advice. A small proportion of male callers identified themselves as perpetrators.
The helpline helps survivors of GBV, one of the most pressing human rights issues in PNG. Over two-thirds of women have experienced violence.