A large number of women, men, and youths who attended a screening program conducted by PNG Tribal Foundation and AFL PNG early this week, raised concerns over increasing unreported domestic violence cases in Kavieng, New Ireland Province.
Women openly discussed domestic violence issues experienced in their homes, saying many cases were never reported to police due to fear of further assault, community gossip, and lack of confidence in police handling gender-based violence cases.
A woman named Caroline, shared her experience of living in an arranged marriage organised by her father. She said she endured years of violence, even today when all her children are grown up.
“I have four children who are all educated and living their own lives,” she said. “My legs became disabled and I could not walk for months, but through the help of my children, I managed to walk again,” she said.
Caroline said she now lives with permanent disabilities and this is affecting her movement, as she gets older. She encouraged young men to respect and care for their wives. She also said the mentality of men paying bride price and then abusing their wives must stop.
Mark Davey from Bagail, Ward 4, in Kavieng, said one of the major challenges faced in communities is youths becoming involved in negative social activities that contribute to law-and-order problems.
“Such awareness programs have been needed for a long time, and authorities here are not coming out into communities to address these issues.
“We thank AFL PNG and PNG Tribal Foundation for coming to our community and speaking openly about issues that many people face, but no one talks about,” Mr Davey said.
The screening program forms part of PNG Tribal Foundation’s ongoing awareness activities aimed at addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV), and promoting respectful relationships and safer communities.