New Family and Sexual Violence Unit opened in Southern Highlands

Representatives of the Australian High Commission and Southern Highlands Governor, Hon. William Powi MP opened a new family and sexual violence unit and with a new police 4WD vehicle on Thursday. While receiving the keys to the vehicle and the family sexual violence unit building, Governor Powi thanked the Australian Government for funding the resources which would greatly benefit the people of Southern Highlands in addressing family and sexual violence problems. Governor Powi urged all Southern Highlanders to look after their families and respect women, mothers and sisters.

“Without a strong family unit, development will not come, the family is the foundation on which we can build development. The purpose of development is to benefit families, people and communities,” he said.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Mr Sibron Papote supported this sentiment and explained that the Family Protection Act had now made family and sexual violence a specific crime.

“We hope that these resources will encourage survivors of violence to report these crimes, but more than that we hope that perpetrators will realise their actions are criminal offences and eliminate violence from their lives,” he said.

The opening was also attended by all Southern Highlands Provincial Executive Council members, Police Station Commander Peter Buka, and PSCs from all provincial districts, Mr. Joe Kaiyo, International Committee of the Red Cross, Courts, NGO’s , churches, and business houses, as well as representatives of the Australian High Commission.

The party also formally opened the newly refurbished Family Support Centre at Mendi General Hospital, which was jointly funded by Australia and the National Department of Health and has been operating since April.

“Specially trained police at the new FSVU will provide improved justice services to survivors, and at the Family Support Centre we will assist in their ongoing recoveries,” said Joe Turian, CEO of Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.

Ms. Elisha Walaget, second in charge of the new Family Sexual Violence Police Unit said; “FSV is the cause of many different crimes in the province, and with a fully equipped unit, and the training course, it will greatly enhance police work to bring perpetrators to justice.”

The Australian Government provided over PGK 500,000 to fund the new FSVU, the FSVU 4WD vehicle and to jointly fun the renovation of the Family Support Centre, through the PNG-Australia Law and Justice Program – Transition Program.

Photo credit: Australian High Commission