Para 76) The law and justice sector in the country has increased efforts to meet the growing demand of survivors of violence to access justice. The Police Department has successfully set up Family Sexual Violence Units in each of the 22 provinces to assist survivors of GBV.
Para 77) The Office of the Public Solicitors and the Legal Training Institute provide free legal services to victims of family sexual violence.
Para 78) In 2015, the Office of the Public Prosecutor established a Family Sexual Offences Branch to focus primarily on various degrees of sexual offenses and support victims to access appropriate legal services. There are also a ‘help desks’ in all National Court locations to provide assistance and advice on GBV and other human rights abuse cases.
Para 82) There are a number of legislation that are in place to address the challenges of family and sexual violence and all forms of domestic violence: the Lukautim Pikinini Act (Child Protection Act) 2015; Family Protection Act 2013; Family Protection Regulations 2017; and the Amended Criminal Code Act 2002. The Amended Criminal Code Act applies substantial penalties for sexual offences and crimes against children and women based on the degree of the offence. For example, this amendment provides a clear avenue of legal recourse for women who experience rape within marriage.
Para 83) The ‘National Strategy to prevent and respond to Gender Based Violence’ (2016– 2025), is aimed at strengthening and institutionalizing all initiatives and work on gender-based violence in order to achieve zero-tolerance towards gender-based violence. The National GBV Secretariat was also established the same year (2016) as the central coordinating point to implement the Strategy.
Para 84) The Secretariat coordinates and monitors GBV implementation of activities by stakeholders, including development partners at all levels. These activities include the different services for the referral pathways, counseling and capacity building for survivors and perpetrators; and the establishment of Safe Houses nationwide. Since 2016, the Secretariat has been involved in conducting awareness and advocacy on GBV issues; organizing Men’s Forums to focus on men’s role in addressing GBV; and the establishment of GBV Secretariats and Committees at the Provincial levels. These programmes are being rolled out in four (4) pilot provinces (Morobe, Milne Bay, National Capital District and East New Britain).
Para 85) The Department of Health in conjunction with the Family Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) established Family Support Centers (FSCs) in major hospitals and health centers throughout the country. FSCs are established to provide a comprehensive response to medical and psychological needs of survivors through the provision of following essential services free of charge: (i) Medical First Aid; (ii) Psychological First Aid; (iii) Prevention of HIV/other Sexually transmitted infections; (iv) Prevention of Unwanted or Unintended Pregnancies; and (v) Prevention of Hepatitis-B and tetanus or other lifethreatening medical conditions and paralegal advise. There are 28 Safe Houses and a Men’s Hub provided for GBV victims in 17 Provinces and 14 family support centers in 13 Provinces in PNG.
Para 86) In 2016 and 2017 respectively, trainings were conducted for the FSVAC on SOP and GBV Data collection including training for 33 Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in 3 electorates in the National Capital District, equipping them with GBV Response tools such as SMS Alert phones, ID Cards and uniforms with HRD manuals to effectively carry out their duties.
Para 87) The RPNGC is transforming its FSVU into a fully-fledged directorate within the Crimes Division of the Constabulary to address shortfalls and raise awareness of the services available to victims of domestic violence. The Unit has 33 established desks in 17 provinces, with 88 dedicated policemen and policewomen.
Para 100) Given the nature of security need in PNG and to safeguard investment in both the private and public sectors, the private security industry already cooperates extensively with state law enforcement agencies in practice, and a few already support efforts to address issues such as GBV. For instance, G4S supports Meri Seif (Women’s Safety) Line, a hotline providing a safe transport option for survivors of Family & Sexual Violence.
Para 19) While the Government has made notable progress in establishing a range of core protection service providers, such as family sexual violence units and police sexual offences squads, the quality, coverage and degree of utilization of these services remains low.
Para 24) … The Cybercrime Code Act 2016, which allows for the prosecution of people who publish defamatory material or incite to violence on social media, has raised concerns. In 2017, a women’s rights and environmental activist was raped in retaliation to her vocal defence of women’s rights and her complaints about the negative impact of mining operations.