Violence cases top 200 a month

OFFICERS from the family and sexual violence unit (FSVU) in Waigani, Port Moresby, deal with an average of 200 cases a month, says an official.
Marylouise Avu told The National that most cases were gender-based violence-related.
She said most were mothers who experienced violence at home, especially from their husbands.
Avu said most mothers who went to the FSVU did not understand the process and were reluctant to charge their husbands.
She said most women thought when they charged their husbands, they would be abandoned with the children because most often, the fathers were the ones working and supporting the family.
Avu said the officers explained to mothers that when a person was charged, it was a correction for that person to learn from their mistake.
Avu said when they gave a protection order, they counselled couples.
She said to arrest perpetrators was a lengthy exercise and most perpetrators were reluctant to go to police stations.
Avu said domestic violence also included members of the extended family.
She said when domestic violence happened in a family, relatives involved and caused more problems.
Avu said the FSVU in Waigani was short of staff but they did their best.