Programme to address GBV issues

THE Human Development Institute is reactivating its “Loving Service to the Needy” programme to set up a centre to address victims of gender-based violence.
Institute founder Samuel Tam said it would be a gender-based violence rehabilitation centre.
“The centre will have an operating control room for emergency tracking, bedrooms, kitchen and dining rooms, canteen, recreation rooms, prayer rooms, medical clinic, legal aid, police aid protection, trauma counselling and so on,” he said.
“Right now the current services provided for victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence are in different places.
“Safe houses, welfare services, health clinics and the Police Family Sexual Violence unit, all operate in different locations and most times victims give up seeking help from them because they have to go to different locations in Port Moresby.”
He said setting up a one-stop shop rehabilitation centre would make it easier for survivors to get all the services at the same location.
Tam said they were setting up an association that would have professionals such as lawyers, medical officers and other professionals to help victims get the right advice and services to help them recover.
“This association will also help them to set up economic activities to be self-reliant and financially independent.
“Because one big problem that leads to gender-based violence is poverty.”