Village court officials receive training

THE Department of Justice and Attorney General with support from the PNG-Australia partnership, has trained 30 village court officials in Northern on the application of the Family Protection Act (FPA), including issuing of interim protection orders (IPOs).
As a result of the training, village court officials were now intervening to assist family and sexual violence (FSV) survivors.
Kokoda village court clerk Miriam Ombari said the training had enabled her court to grant IPOs to two FSV survivors so far, although she acknowledged there was a need for more awareness in her community.
Many communities and survivors of violence were not aware that village courts have the power to issue these orders, which prohibit perpetrators from going near complainants for up to 30 days.
“There is a need in the community for our people to be educated on the issue of family violence to empower survivors to access justice through the village courts,” Ombari said.
A mother of five with a decade of experience in the village court system, Ombari said domestic violence has affected many people in her community and said she was grateful that the FPA has elevated the village courts system.
Under the Family Protection Act, those breaching IPOs can be liable for fines up to K10,000 or three years imprisonment.
The same sentiments were shared by Kokoda village court chairman Chris Jovu who attended the training, and confirmed that most rural communities were not aware of the FPA.