Top cop highlights issues surrounding police war on gender-based violence

OF the 13,700 cases of gender-based violence reported to police between 2015 and 2016, only 738 arrests were made, police say.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations) Jim Andrews, pictured, told the law and justice stakeholders meeting yesterday in Port Moresby that police had been addressing issues of gender-based violence since 2007.
He said police officers were trained to address these cases before the establishment of family sexual violence unit in 2009, partnering with the Australian Federal Police and service providers.
Andrews said more needed to be achieved on the issue of gender-based violence in the country.
“The total number of family and sexual violence (FSV) and gender-based violence (GBV) cases reported in Papua New Guinea for 2015 and 2016 is 13,787,” he said.
“Of this, there were 738 arrested, 660 interim protection orders, 3477 referrals, 5495 cases pending, 3291 mediations and 126 convictions made.
“They point out the deficiencies, difficulties or challenges we are faced with.
“Why is it that from the 13,787 cases only 738 arrests were made?
“Why are we not getting that many convictions?
“What are the circumstances leading towards the decisions for the 3291 mediations?
“And why do we have such a larger number of cases pending?
“For police, the challenges are in terms of funding and resourcing, capacity building, training and education and awareness.”