Gender Based Violence in PNG has been escalating through the years with not much recognition and acknowledgement from responsible authorities as a serious Human Rights issue facing our Women and girls.
This sentiment was shared by the Governor of NCD, Powes Parkop this week during the launch of a Legal Help Desk that is set to help the survivors of Gender based violence to prosecute their perpetrators.
This was done in partnership with in the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry to commemorate National Women’s Day.
“Women in PNG tend to give up and accept the violence and abuse happening to them because there is no proper support system especially legal support for the referral pathway is broken,” said Governor Parkop.
“This Legal Help Desk will provide the victims with the right legal advice and improve the quality of legal services, and also that the perpetrators are brought to full justice.”
According to POMCCI President Mr. Rio Fiocco the help desk will act as a one stop shop for the GBV Victims where they meet with Counsellors as well as receive the legal support they need.
NCDC’s GTBV Secretariat Manager Ruth Berison in thanking NCDC and the POMCCI added that it is through such initiative that GBV Victims are restored their confidence in pursuing cases because the support system is strong.
Perpetrators walk around freely as women continue to face GBV but this will soon be fixed through the legal support this Help Desk is set to provide for the 70, 000 women victims in POM City.
This help desk will engage two lawyers and law student volunteers from UPNG and will officially commence next month.