Femili Tok Newsletter - Vol 9. Issue 3-4
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| Femili Tok Newsletter
Vol 9. Issue 3 - 4 |
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Welcome to Femili PNG's first newsletter of 2025. In this issue, we share updates on our work from July to December 2024, along with an inspiring success story of one of our brave clients. |
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| Femili PNG helps survivors of family and sexual violence to access the care, support and change they need. We operate case management centres (CMCs) in Lae and Goroka, and the Bel isi CMC and Safe House in Port Moresby. We also undertake outreach, training and advocacy. To to find out more about what we do, visit our website. |
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| Femili PNG’s Goroka Outpost Program Manager, Ms Elly Toimbo, represented Femili PNG at the recent 2024 Australasian AID Conference in Canberra on 3 December 2024. Elly was given a remarkable opportunity to deliver an after-dinner speech during the conference, shining light on the life-changing work of Femili PNG to an international audience. Elly also participated at a question-and-answer session with the Development Policy Centre Director and Femili PNG Chair, Prof. Stephen Howes, and discussed insights on the issue of family and sexual violence in PNG. |
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ECPAT is a global network of civil society organisations that works to end the sexual exploitation of children. The ECPAT network consists of 122 member organisations in 104 countries. Its secretariat is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and provides technical support to member groups, coordinating research, and managing international advocacy campaigns. Femili PNG was admitted to the membership of ECPAT at the end of 2024. This is a recognition of Femili PNG’s extensive work with children, and it will enable Femili PNG to have greater international engagement on the issues of child abuse and exploitation. For more on how Femili PNG helps children, see this recent blog and read our 10-year data report. Learn about ECPAT here. |
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| To prevent and strengthen the response to abuse and violence throughout Eastern Highlands Province, Femili PNG’s Goroka Outpost took on board 16 outreach volunteers from three different districts early last year. This is the first time Femili PNG has engaged volunteers to work alongside Femili PNG Outreach Officer Paul Kunump. The initiative aims to offer an avenue where community leaders and youth are actively participating in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in the community. Paul said, “This approach is effective… and we are already seeing positive impact.”
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Femili PNG has trained more than 300 village court officials in the Eastern Highlands Province since October 2023. In recognizing the need to help court officials change their perspective when making decisions based on traditional norms, Femili PNG conducted training to upskill their knowledge and understanding of family and sexual violence (FSV), child abuse, and sorcery accusation related violence (SARV). This knowledge will assist them to progress cases accordingly. |
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| The Femili PNG outreach team, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, raised awareness in promoting human rights, empowerment and safety for people living with disability on 5 December 2024 at Benong Lutheran Parish, Lae. In line with Femili PNG’s Disability Inclusion Policy, Outreach Officer Bernard Nulai, urged caretakers and families of People with Disabilities (PWDs) to understand that Femili PNG case management services includes them. They have rights to access services without fear and discrimination. He encouraged them to report to Femili PNG’s office if they happen to be perpetrated with abuse and violence. |
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The Kundiawa Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Unit has received essential Information Technology (IT) equipment from Femili PNG to support their work on gender-based violence (GBV) and sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) cases. Sergeant Levi Gangola, Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Homicide Department, and First Constable Robert Somp, both SARV investigators, travelled from Kundiawa to receive the equipment at Femili PNG's head office in Lae, Morobe Province. The officers expressed their gratitude for the support, which will help them address the ongoing challenges of printing court documents. |
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| In 2024, Femili PNG’s Lae outreach team visited 13 primary schools in Lae and Huon Gulf districts to raise awareness amongst teachers and students about family and sexual violence, child abuse, child safety rules, sorcery accusation-related violence, and relevant laws and referral pathways for services available to assist survivors. The teachers and students found the awareness-raising sessions enlightening and informative. Femili PNG’s outreach officer, Benard Nulai, reported that some students came forward and said they were willing to call Femili PNG concerning the abuse they are experiencing.
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Femili PNG Lae celebrated Universal Children’s Day with students and teachers of Omili Primary School in Morobe Province on 22 November 2024. School Principal, Mr. Amu Yelo, expressed his appreciation to Femili PNG for their engagement with the school to educate students on their rights and responsibilities. He appealed to over 3,000 students to report abuse and violence if they happen to experience it and get help. The Australian Consul-General in Lae, Mr. Mark Foxe, also attended the event. Mr. Foxe made a remarkable speech, reinforcing the commitment of the Australian Government to supporting the PNG government and the civil societies that enable the future, protection and well-being of PNG children. |
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| Content warning: Family and sexual violence |
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A brave woman named Aria* fought to protect her daughters from a tragic cycle of sexual abuse perpetrated by their biological father. She became the first woman in her village to report such crime to Family Support Centre (FSC) and later to Provincial Police Head Quarters (PPHQ). Whilst accommodated at a safe house, Aria's two daughters received emotional and psychological support they needed from FPNG case officers to prepare them for the upcoming court proceedings. In June 2024, the National Court found the defendant guilty. It was a monumental victory. Aria’s journey was not only about seeking justice for her daughters. It was about breaking the silence and challenging the norms that kept many women and children in most communities trapped in fear. Through the unwavering support of Femili PNG, Aria's story has become one of hope, transformation, and empowerment.
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| To support the work of Femili PNG, please do not hesitate to contact the Communications and PR Manager on: Phone: +675 7080 5378 Email: [email protected] |
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A sincere and heartfelt thank you to our funders |
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| Are you a survivor of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child abuse or sorcery accusation-related violence? Our free case management centres can help.
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Outside of office hours, call the 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain: 71508000. |
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