New support for survivors of family and sexual violence

A new family support centre for survivors of family and sexual violence in Eastern Highlands Province has opened in Goroka.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Bronte Moules and provincial leaders officially opened the facility on 6 May.

Funded by Australia, the centre at the Goroka Base Hospital will provide integrated care and counselling for survivors of family and sexual violence.

Staff from the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Family Support Centre and partner organisations of the Provincial Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee will work together to provide services and improve community safety.

Ms Moules said: “Family and sexual violence is a crime that affects millions of women and children around the world – in Australia and in Papua New Guinea.

These crimes are usually hidden and unreported. Violence not only fractures our families and our communities, but is a barrier to economic development.

“Violence against women and children is a problem that can be tackled through determined leadership that changes attitudes and behaviour to prevent violence, as well as through protecting survivors, and – importantly – through prosecuting offenders.”

Ms Moules said health centres in remote communities must link survivors and perpetrators of violence to the family support centre to access support services.

Australia works in partnership with all levels of government, civil society, international partners, women and men to respond to violence against women through a range of different programs.

The family support centre was built with an Australian Government support of K650,000 in partnership with the Eastern Highland Provincial Health Authority.