East New Britain Province

There is very limited data available from the West Sepik Provincial Administration regarding the incidence of GBV in the province. Data provided by the Province to the Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV in advance of the November 2021 Committee public hearings did not appear to fully reflect the number of GBV cases across the whole province. A 2014 Survey on Family Wellbeing in Western Highlands and Sanduan (West Sepik) Provinces provides some information on GBV experiences in the province but it is now quite outdated.

East New Britain GBV Plan

The Province has a draft 5-year ENB Provincial GBV Strategic Plan (2016-2020), which was created by the Division of Community Development in 2015 under the ENBPA. This plan is currently being updated for the next 5 years. The Division of Community Development is working on implementing an updated Strategic Plan to be more effective in supporting survivors of GBV in the Province.

There is also a Provincial Policy Paper on GBV which assisted in the creation of the Provincial FSVAC and sets out direction for the PFSVAC committee and other agencies in the province in addressing GBV.

The PFSVAC Secretariat has also completed a draft annual plan to December 2022. This plan sets out the activities that the PFSVAC Secretariat in conjunction with other agencies will conduct for the next year. Some of these activities will work towards addressing some of the gaps and weaknesses identified in further sections of this submission.

East New Britain FSV/GBV Action Committee

From 2011, the ENBP had several services carrying out GBV work in various forms. However, this was not coordinated and was not connected to the formal structures of the ENB Provincial Administration. A decision was made after a 2013 meeting of the CIMC FSVAC in Port Moresby to establish an ENB Provincial FSVAC. It was this process which led to the establishment of the current PFSVAC Committee.

ENBP now has an established Provincial Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (PFSVAC):

Mr Levi Mano Chairman, ENBP Deputy Provincial Administrator (socioeconomics)
Mr Samuel Lavutul Deputy Chair, Senior Provincial Magistrate
Mr Joseph Tabali, Provincial Police Commander
Dr Ako Yap, CEO of the Provincial Health Authority
Mr Phillip Kuamin, Acting Community Development advisor
Mr Albert Seri, Administrator St Mary’s Hospital
Sr Lucy Tirupia, St Marys Hospital
Sr Akonia Kulap, Director of Nursing services Nonga Hospital
Sr Veronica Marfu, Family Support Centre Coordinator
Senior Constable Sylvia Weiba, Family and Sexual Violence Unit Kokopo
Seargent Jennifer Takuru, Family and Sexual Violence Unit Rabaul
Geraldine Wambo, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
Sr Serah Malyvuia, Couppe Safe House Coordinator
Emmanuel Melchior, Callan Services
Mrs Aidah Ikilik, PFSVAC Secretariat
Reverent Allen Kinkin, Council of Churches representative
Miss Elizabeth Kaupin, NGO representative
Mrs Margaret Garap, Correctional Services
Mrs Ruth Coplen, Education representative
Mrs Anne Sapat, Human rights defender

The PFSVAC proposes to meet on a quarterly basis to address issues related to GBV within the province, with the view to assisting service providers in delivering targeted support to survivors. This also provides a forum for issues that are emerging to be addressed collectively by members with the influence to do so. Due to COVID19, the PFSVAC has only met once each year in 2020 and 2021.

The PFSVAC Secretariat is Mrs Aidah Ikilik who has been in this position since 2015. The PFSVAC Secretariat provides support to the Provincial Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (PFSVAC), co-ordination of FSV cases, quality monitoring, FSV prevention, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Survivors contact directly with PFSVAC Secretariat for support and are referred to other support agencies.

PFSVAC Secretariat has a role in monitoring and coordinating support for survivors. The PFSVAC Secretariat also has responsibility for gathering and collating de-identified data about survivors accessing the services in the referral pathway. This will provide accurate information quarterly to assess where service is being accessed. However, currently there is no system to support this initiative around data collection and collation.

When an agency or survivor contacts PFSVAC Secretariat they can expect to be connected with agencies in the referral pathway to access wrap around support to resolve their situation. For high- risk cases this will include MACC conferencing to ensure that all areas of need are being addressed. While a case is being progressed the PFSVAC Secretariat will have responsibility for ensuing there is open communication and coordination of services for the survivor. Assisting to ensure there is ongoing and timely assistance being provided to progress the case for the survivor.

The PFSVAC Secretariat and Child fund PNG have been working closely together for the last 12 months, working to strengthen the capacity of the PFSVAC Secretariat with mentoring, and ongoing support. This has been achieved by Childfund PNG placing a staff member in ENBP to work with the PFSVAC Secretariat. This has been an effective model of practice to assist not only the FSVAC Secretariat by at times other agencies as well. Some of the benefits of this has been ongoing support and practical assistance to achieve goals such as annual planning and the creation of a Provincial Family and Sexual Violence Response Protocol.

In the Toma Vunadidir LLG, Gazelle District, some ward members have set up a Child Welfare Action Committee which has volunteers who meet to address issues of child welfare and safety within the 33 wards administered by this group. This was set up by a group of dedicated people who identified a need in their area and came together to address that. This committee has assisted in improving the reporting system into formal referral pathways in matters concerning the safety and welfare of children in these wards.

The Provincial Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) Unit sits under the Provincial Administration. The main work of the GESI unit is to provide gender equality and social inclusion support and advice to public servants and the public service. They could refer anyone who comes to them for support. Policies include a complaints desk policy for referrals, GESI policy, ethics and values-based leadership and capability framework. They also have provincial and district counseling committees.

Existing GBV Crisis Support Services

Division of Community Development: Lead by an advisor, the following are areas covered, remedial services, social inclusion, community mobilization, NGO and liaison, GBV/FSV, civil register, sports and recreation. Community development has district offices is Pomio, Rabaul, Kokopo and Gazelle. Each of these oversees between 4 and 5 Local Level Government community development officers in the wards. The office of Community Development also has responsibility for child welfare and protection and supports child protection officers. Survivors can directly contact Community Development for assistance. They offer mediation, counselling, support to apply for an IPO or PO and referrals to other agencies. Welfare officers should report high risk cases to the FSVAC secretariat for referral.

Gazetted Child Protection Officers are a department of the Division of Community Development, responsible for overseeing the welfare and protection of children in the province. Should a notification be made in regards the safety of a child or children the Officer will have responsibility to act. This can include investigation, creating a home report into the situation, a warrant to uplift or to search and arrest and take any steps necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of the child or children. Any human trafficking, particularly children should be referred to Child Protection Officer to contact the human trafficking hotline for guidance.

Local Level Government (LLG): Elected ward members form ward development committees covering law and justice, health, education, community development, commerce/economy, infrastructure and disaster and emergency. Commonly survivors report Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) incidents to ward members, who then support survivors to report to the law and justice committee member. The case is then mediated at the village court, where any directions given are binding. If the case is complex or high risk or of a serious sexual nature and with the survivor’s consent, then it should be referred beyond the scope of the LLG to Police for prosecution and the court for IOP application to provide the best support for survivors. The ward members involved will have reasonability for contacting the FSVAC Secretariat for support for the survivor.

Couppe Safe House: With the leadership of the Congregation Leader under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of Rabaul and the Catholic Bishops Conference PNG and Solomon Islands, there is a safe house coordinator, financial coordinator, and counsellor. Services provided include safe house management, community awareness of FSV, training of staff and stakeholder relationships. Couppe Safe House provides refuge, counseling and reintegration and repatriation support to survivors. Couppe Safe House provided parenting and life skills programmes and follow up for clients.

Nonga General Hospital: Lead by a Chief Executive Officer there are 3 directors of medical services, nursing services and corporate services. Under corporate services is accounts, logistics and environment. Under medical services are Doctors, Pathology, and x-ray. The Family Support Centre (FSC) is under nursing services. Survivors access medical support at the hospital and further specialised support at the FSC. This support includes immediate medical attention including Post Exposure Prophylactics (PEP) in the cases of penetrative rape. Referral to safe house or other place of safety if appropriate, discuss safety with the survivor and complete a safety plan. Ongoing psycho-social support is also provided to survivors. When the case is high risk contact the FSVAC Secretariat to convene a MACC conference. Medical reports are also provided when cases are referred to Police for prosecution.

St Mary’s Hospital Vunapope: A hospital administrator heads the hospital management team, with Directors of Medical Services, Nursing Services and Finance. Disease control covers outbreaks, polio, Covid 19, measles. Under the umbrella of GBV at the hospital is Peter Tor Rot Voluntary Counseling and Testing, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, Maternal and child health and village health committees. St Marys has a continued working relationship with ward members and village health committees and provides support. Survivors are supported to receive medical attention for their injuries within 72 hours for sexual offenses and acute injuries and get medical reports for court and prosecutions.

Callan Services: Based at St Marys Hospital, Callan Services caters to the needs of people living with disabilities. Services offered include assisting with ensuring children living with disability have access to education and other services to support inclusion in society. Callen Services are also able to offer support to other agencies in the province if they are working with a survivor with disabilities for example sign language interpreters. Callen services also provides inclusive education training for teachers.

Butuwin Health Centre: Provides for the health care needs of the surrounding areas, including currently providing vaccination services and covid 19 awareness services. Butuwin Health Centre provides doctors and nurses to see drop in patients and has maternity services. Butuwin Health centre can on request provide reports for court for victims of GBV.

Family Health Association: Based in central Kokopo they work with survivors of GBV to assist with medical reporting and support. This organization also provides some GBV awareness in the province.

Royal Papua New Guinea Police: Assistant Commissioner Police (ACP) Islands, Divisional Commander, Senior officer ACP, Provincial Police Commissioner, Staff Officers, Provincial Police Commander, PSC’s Kokopo Rabaul and Kerevat, sections, rank and file. Police’s main role is to intervene to protect survivors and prosecute perpetrators. Police have a responsibility to investigate and prosecute crimes. Kokopo, Rabaul and Kerevat have Sexual Offences Squad (SOS) and Family Sexual Violence Units (FSVU) officers who support survivors to find a place of safety, receive medical support and make other interventions. The SOS and FSVU have responsibility for gathering statements from survivors when they make contact arresting perpetrators and providing information to court to support prosecutions.

Public Prosecutors Office: Social obligation of the PPO includes FSV and awareness in HR, constitution, and children’s rights. The Public Prosecutors role is to support survivors by prosecuting cases of FSV if this is not being done by Police Prosecution. They have a responsibility to support survivors with the court system.

Public Solicitors Office: Legal Secretary, Instruction’s officer, Civil and Criminal law, lawyers, referral family matters, legal representation District Court and National Court. Role to support victims to navigate the court systems.

Village Courts: The Village Court Magistrate under the Village Court Act have the power to grant an interim protection order (IPO). This is for a period of 30 days, to ensure safety of survivors while theirs cases are being progressed. Should an IPO issued by the Village Court be breached this becomes a District Court matter and must be referred there for prosecution.

Magistrates & National Courts: Lead by Senior Provincial Magistrate (SPM), Magistrates, Clerk of Court, registry staff/clerks. The following are the jurisdictions Family court, Juvenile Court, Summary Offenses Act, Committal Court, Grade 5 Court, Civil Court, Village Appeals Court, Land Court and Coroners Court. The courts are an impartial organisation, judging the cases on facts before them. The process is a summons/complaint/ information is laid with the court. It is registered and entered into the system. This data is then stored electronically and contributes to the national statistics gathered via courts. Courts will hear matters such as applications for protection orders and then issue of an order. They will also provide some support to survivors to get PO and IPO, including filling in forms etc

Correctional Services: Kerevat Prison takes perpetrators who have been convicted and sentenced to serve time. The primary role of this service is to administer the sentences given by the Court and provide care to prisoners while they are serving time. Currently there are some vocational trainings offered to perpetrators during their sentence. There is very little reintegration or reintegration planning done when a perpetrator is due to be released which can lead to an increase of GBV when they return home.

Adventist organization: Under the leadership of a president there is a secretary and financial officer. Field workers including Pastors, teachers, and health workers. There are directors of communication, youth, stewards, health, education, women and children, cross cutting issues. Pastors and other staff offer counselling services to survivors and make referrals to other network partners. Most of the FVS work is undertaken by the women and children section. The Family Life Department covers issues concerning families. There are trainings runs and literature produced to advocate for family life.

Council of Churches: The Council of Churches is a division of Community Development that is non-denominational covering all churches in the East New Britain Province. This group consists of representatives at local, provincial, and governmental levels to have the voice of the church herd. The various churches have different programmes and sessions they deliver on including FSV awareness and training in congregations and communities. The pastors and priests provide pastoral care and facilitate access to FSV services when survivors access support via the church.

Human Rights Defenders: There are 17 trained human rights defenders in the East New Britain Provence assisting survivors of FSV. Working with both survivors and perpetrators of violence. They conduct awareness and providing counseling to survivors and facilitate access to support services from other agencies.

Wide Bay Conservation Association: Based in the East Pomio LLG, they have community development workers based across three zones covering all of the Wide Bay area. This group advocates on GBV prevention and awareness, and how this works with cultural customs and values. This organisation also has now some volunteer CPOs to address the needs of children. Another focus of this organization is to address the imbalance of women in positions of authority, specifically within LLGs and ensuring fair representation in political situations.

ENBP Council of Women: Based in Kenabot this organization primarily works to protect and enhance the right of women in society. Working in conjunction with Community Development this organization works to ensure that women in the districts have access to training and support.

Women in Agriculture: This organization primarily provides business and political support to women in the Gazelle District with a focus on small to mediums enterprises that can be accessed by women. While this organization does not have a primary focus on GBV with women, they do provide empowerment through financial independence for women.

Counsellors: The ENBP Provincial Administration funded under the PPP or public private partnership a training for counsellors in 2015 facilitated by the United Church school of skills and leadership. With the focus being that they would associate with churches in the districts and wards to provide counseling services to survivors of GBV. There were 30 or so counsellors trained in this group. Of that number some are working for the court, some are working in various wards and churches to provide services. Also available in the province are independent trained counsellors who offer their services to places such as the safe house. These counsellors have some skill also in trauma counselling and in dealing with complex high needs survivors. At times the cost of these experienced counsellors can be prohibitive to accessing support.

Existing GBV Prevention Activities

Many of the organisations in ENBP who work in the GBV field provide community awareness as a standard part of everyday work. This can be on an individual bases with survivors they are working with. It can also be at times when a need has been identified and a community group has asked for an awareness to be held.

The Kokopo District Court has 3 counsellors who were trained in ENBP when the Provincial Administration funded an external provider to come to the province and train 30 plus counsellors. The District Court in Kokopo has a system in place when applicants apply for a protection order. The order is considered by the court and both parties are directed to attend counselling. Both the applicant and then respondent are seen separately for 1 hour by a counsellor. Both parties are then seen together where often a resolution is found. A counseling report is generated and submitted to the court to support the application of the protection order.

This was an initiative created to address a need for counselling for both survivors and perpetrators when interacting with the court system. Currently this service is funded from the District Court and Community Development Budget. In the future it would be of benefit to have similar counseling support available at all District Courts in ENBP.

Organisations such as Community Development and Department of Education provide this awareness more on an ad hock basis when requested or when it is identified as required by a particular group. There is a plan to increase staffing at Community Development to include a GBV Program Manager to address this gap.

Media awareness in ENBP is regularly achieved by broadcasts on NBC radio ENB with space made available to share messages around GBV awareness and information for survivors. This included radio drama written and produced by RENBFM staff to be broadcast regularly for information awareness on GBV. Peter Tor Rot radio also broadcasts messages of GBV awareness and access to services. There are personnel within the Provincial Administration who have a role in coordinating this media response. There are reporters for both The National and Post Courier who often highlight work being done in ENBP on GBV awareness,

Partners in ENBP are in the beginning stages of embracing some social media applications to streamline communication and increase response times. A common way of completing this currently is by utilising apps like WhatsApp, setting up specific groups so that information or calls for assistance go to a wider group of recipients. This has provided a way for agencies to cooperate in service delivery or work on cases that are time sensitive. This will become a more common occurrence in the future as social media plays a bigger role in direct group communications.

Partners supporting work to address GBV

Support Partner	ENBP Organization Supported	Focus of Support
CIMC/FSVAC National	FSVAC Secretariat and key agencies in ENBP Couppe Safe House	Training and GBV awareness support. Resources to assist in running the safe house.
Child fund PNG	FSVAC Secretariat	Supporting creation of a referral pathway protocol.
UNFPA	Family Support Centre Provincial Administration and key agencies	Assisting to strengthen services of FSC and increase numbers of FSC’s in ENBP. Data gathering systems and collation of data.
UNWomen	Couppe Safe House	Support with the running of Couppe Safe House.
Femili PNG	FSVAC Secretariat and Couppe Safe House	Case Management training and trauma informed GBV training
PNG Counsellors Association	FSVAC Secretariat and key partners	Counseling services and training and support for practicing counsellors.
UNICEF	Community Development	Support to strengthen services in child protection
OXFAM	Couppe Safe House	Repatriation of survivors outside the ENBP
VSA	Couppe Safe House	Financial and human resource support in the creation of the safe house and development of policy and processes.