Safe house for women, children closed for maintenance

By MARJORIE FINKEO
A SAFE house in Port Moresby where woman and children fleeing “domestic violence” seek refuge in has been temporarily closed for maintenance.
The management of Haus Ruth said the building badly needed repairs as water had been leaking from the top floor wetting the kitchen area and floors, gas stoves were not working and walls broken.
It had to be closed “for the health and safety of children and mothers”.
Two companies volunteered to carry out the maintenance work.
“We were hoping that maintenance will finish in January but because of the delays, we were forced to wait,” a spokesperson said.
“A massive construction is currently going on. We are not closing the door on women. We want the place to be clean and safe for everyone to live in.”
Haus Ruth opened its doors in 2003 under City Mission.
It offers to help women and children but now men too are also coming in for counselling with their wives or partners.
It is looking for qualified counsellors to help out.
The house has a good relationship with police, the courts, welfare department and family support unit centre at the Port Moresby General Hospital.