Police station opens new K850,000 violence unit

THE Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) Unit for women and children has opened a branch, costing K850,000, at the Waigani police station in Port Moresby.
The branch, opened yesterday, will assist women and children who are abused at their homes in Gerehu, Waigani, Morata, and Hohola.
Deputy Commissioner of Police and Chief of Operations Jim Andrews spoke on behalf of Police Commissioner Gari Baki and said the opening coincided with the 70th anniversary of the universal declaration of World Human Rights Day.
Andrews said family sexual violence, gender-based violence or domestic violence were unfortunately a daily occurrence in PNG that violated human rights.
“It is gender crime where the majority of victims are women and girls and many of those perpetrators are men,” he said.
“Women are denied their intimate freedom and equality, are discriminated against, denied their rights to life, kept as captives and slaves, and tortured.”
A total of 18 FSV units in provinces has been established and 46 desks around the country with a manpower strength of 106 dedicated and committed police officers, Andrews said.
“The FSV units have grown from strength to strength over the last 10 years and I’d like to thank the Australian government and Australian Federal Police for their ongoing commitment and support to the Police Department and people of PNG.”
Statistics showed that the Waigani police station recorded the most women and girl victims of family sexual violence in NCD.
Australia High Commission counsellor, law and justice, Gina Wilson said police officers received 20 to 25 complaints of problems in their home on a daily basis.
“Women report major serious incidents of rape and assault while officers dealing with the cases seem to increase every day,” Wilson said.
She said Waigani dealt with the highest number of cases among NCD FSV Units.
Jiwaka, West New Britain and East Sepik are the only provinces that have not established the units yet.
Sexual violence unit in Port Moresby records show that from 2013 to 2016, the number of women affected by violence increased by 50 per cent.
“It takes dedication and commitment to work in FSV units,” she said.
Bilateral partners of Australia and PNG continue to work together to tackle the issues to try to protect vulnerable groups.”