Femili PNG, a local PNG NGO established in Lae since 2014 has been providing case management services to survivors of family and sexual violence (FSV). Femili PNG works closely with service providers like the police, courts, welfare, hospitals and relevant stakeholders to help FSV survivors, specifically those who are subject to intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and sorcery-accusation related violence get the help they need.

With the formation of the Bel isi PNG initiative in August 2018, Femili PNG took up the role as the operator of the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre and Safe house in Port Moresby. Since then, we have assisted 1,320 women, children and men survivors. Over 350 of our clients have successfully obtained interim protection orders from the courts, and a further 180 clients received permanent protection orders which provide protection up to two years. We are also proud to have helped 780 survivors and their children to find safe accommodation these, 412 were safely housed at the Bel Isi Safe House.

We have provided over 16,500 distinct services and over 15,500 consultations to survivors. These consultations are vital to client success as they empower the client to work with the caseworker to understand the options available and which ones are best for them. On average, every client has 10 follow up consultations with us.

The Bel isi PNG initiative has been able to provide support to employees of subscribing businesses, as well as survivors from the public. Since 2018, the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre has assisted 303 employees of subscribing businesses. Of these, 94 were provided safe accommodation at Bel Isi Safe House, and 77 were assisted with obtaining an interim protection order.

Femili PNG acknowledges the support of the Australian Government in partnership with the PNG Government, the key stakeholders in the private and public sector, and other agencies working towards addressing FSV in the country. Through partnership and collaborative efforts, we continue to achieve positive outcomes.

Below is the story of a client from one of Bel isi PNG’s subscribers who was assisted through the Case Management Centre. The *name and identifying details of the client has been changed to protect the client’s identity:

*Shay described her husband as a good man who then became abusive. After she got help, Shay saw her husband change to become a better husband and father. She said, ‘’it has been a journey for us. Now, if there’s a disagreement between us, either one of us takes a walk, and then we solve it before we go to bed.’’

Before Shay started experiencing abuse, she described her husband as a good and loving person who would show her off to the world. She always felt a sense of assurance whenever he would tell her that she was the answer to his prayers. She was loved and safe.

Things started to change after Shay moved in to live with her husband after their children were born. Shay was subjected to ongoing physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse by her partner. Shay was drained emotionally and mentally. She said, ‘’I often thought to myself, he liked me and took me as his wife, and why is he treating me like I’m his enemy.’’ The ongoing abuse from her partner affected her children and her state of mind at work.

With help from her employer, Shay was referred to the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre (operated by Femili PNG). A caseworker provided the support she needed and assisted her with obtaining an Interim Protection Order (IPO), which was successfully converted to a Permanent Protection Order. Upon intake, she was considered high risk and was provided safe accommodation. In the process of helping her, the welfare office facilitated mediation between Shay and her husband.

After the hearing of the Protection Order, Shay’s husband realised the abuse he caused her and admitted to Shay that he wanted to fix things. The couple went through a month of counselling and realised that they needed to work on their communication and respect for each other. They attended a marriage seminar facilitated by the Boroko Baptist Church which was also helpful for them.

Shay said that after getting the Protection Order, she has seen her partner change and try to be a better husband and father. She said that their children are happier now than before. She added, ‘’he communicates well with our children, and they also communicate well with him.’’

Shay expressed that it can be challenging sometimes, but they both continue to work on their marriage and look at the best interest of their family. This has shown that Family Protection Orders can be effective in changing the perpetrator’s behaviour for the best interest of the family.

The Business Coalition for Women has been supporting Bel isi PNG subscribers in a number of ways including assisting companies with their Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) policy adaptation, policy review, two-day FSV Workplace Contact Team training, staff education sessions, management training and policy implementation support.

The BCFW FSV forum is one of two large events hosted annually by the Coalition and encourages Bel isi PNG subscribers to attend. Since 2019, PNG BCFW has successfully hosted three FSV forums, attended by and positively impacting fourteen Bel isi PNG subscribing companies. Expanding their reach, BCFW hosted a FSV Forum in Lae, in Morobe Province, for the first time in 2021. The forum was well attended, and guests included the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee Chair, Robin Fleming, the Lae business sector, Morobe Provincial Government, Lae City Authority, FSV service providers and FSV contact members.

The Lae inaugural business FSV Forum, for the first time brought together different players who are key in the fight against FSV, to discuss issues affecting the prevention and response to FSV in the province. Positive results came out from this forum, notably the Lae MP John Rosso having one-on-one conversations with FSV service providers on how to improve their services and the partnership between BCFW and Lae City Authority where FSV prevention and response messages were installed at a main bus stop in Lae.

Planning is currently underway for the fourth FSV forum, planned to be held on November 23rd, 2022 in Port Moresby. The focus of the forum this year is on online/cyber violence, with the intent to draw attention to a form of violence that is emerging and re-quires addressing and prevention.

The forum this year will coincide with the global 16 Days of Human Rights Activism. The BCFW FSV forum will comprise of a se-ries of events; a keynote presentation by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, panel discussion, booth exhibition and a presenta-tion of a report, capturing key findings from our FSV monitoring and evaluation survey undertaken by BCFW membership who are implementing the FSV policy in their respective organizations.

The forum aims to help FSV workplace contact teams to:

a) Understand what constitutes cyber violence, how to address it and support those impacted by it

b) Increase awareness on legislations on cyber/online violence and understand how the reporting process works

c) Showcase the existing referral pathways and the services available in the community

d) Create a networking opportunity between business and social services

e) To identify and explore challenges and opportunities faced by the companies in terms of operationalizing workplace policies and guidelines that safeguards employees experiencing FSV; and,

f) To strategize a way forward in establishing solutions to business challenges.

While the forum provides subscribing companies the opportunity to increase their understanding of preventing and responding to FSV, BCFW and IFC further strengthened the support to Bel isi PNG subscribers through the ‘Workplace responses to Family and Sexual Violence in PNG: Measuring the Business Case’ survey. This report presented the results of research among employees at three major companies in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The research found that there are benefits to staff and businesses when companies respond to family and sexual violence by implementing policies, procedures and training.

Survey participants affected by family and sexual violence most commonly received workplace support through paid time off, counselling and referral to Bel isi PNG case management.

There are early signs that measures recently introduced by the three companies, such as a team of staff trained to support col-leagues and a subscription to a support service (Bel isi PNG) are making positive differences. These three companies are now undertaking the end-line survey, to find out whether there have been changes in the prevalence, impacts, attitudes to and support for staff affected by family and sexual violence. See the full report here: Workplace responses to Family and Sexual Violence in PNG: Measuring the Business Case | BCFW (pngbcfw.org)

Bel isi PNG continues to offer high quality services for survivors of family and sexual violence. In the 12 months to June 30th 2022, a total of 330 clients were supported at the case management centre (CMC) and 109 people with safe house services, exceeding the monthly targets for both services. Businesses referred a total of 71 people (20%) in this period.

Police remain the main referral source with 34% of all referrals coming from Police; this has increased over time as awareness of Bel isi PNG services has risen. Subscriber businesses and public clients (walk-ins) are the next most common referrals.

The referrals and main services provided over this last 12 months are summarised in the two tables below.

Bel isi PNG staff provided a total of 3,950 services in this 12-month period.

Since Bel isi PNG opened in late September 2018 it has supported 1,318 individual survivors of family and sexual violence. Subscribers have referred 303 (23%) clients in this same time period.

Around 83% of all clients are adult women, 10% are female children, 5% are male children and less than 1% are adult men.

Bel isi PNG (peaceful PNG) is a public private partnership to address family and sexual violence (FSV) and is located in Port Moresby. Companies and organisations that want their employees to benefit from coordinated and structured FSV services can subscribe to Bel isi PNG. Subscribers gain access to practical solutions including:

• Professionally operated case management services for employees and their immediate family members to assist them in addressing their individual situations.

• Access for employees (mostly women) and their immediate family members to a secure and professionally operated safe house when required.

• Executive membership to a leadership forum that includes an annual event with internationally recognised guest participants.

• Regular newsletters, education and communication materials on the availability of services to help make FSV prevention and support part of the company culture.

• Induction session for leaders and staff to explain the available services provided by Bel Isi PNG.

The value and importance of effective case management, risk planning, and employer support in difficult situations when women take steps to leave extremely abusive, and potentially deadly situations is captured well in this cameo of Mary’s experience with Bel isi PNG.

Bel isi PNG works very closely with clients to ensure steps are taken to keep them safe in their pursuit of leaving violent relationships.

Bel isi PNG recently worked with a subscribing company to support Mary (an alias), an employee who had lived in an extremely abusive relationship for many years. She was left with physical injuries and horrific scars, both physical and emotional, from sustained abuse over many years. She is also a mother of several children and feared for her and her children’s safety.

Her attempts to get support from her extended family and community and requests to the police for help were never successful. Those she turned to for help did not understand that violence is a very serious crime in relationships and not something than can be resolved in the privacy of her home. Cultural obligations were used to justify no action by her family and the community. Mary wanted to leave.

Several of Mary’s colleagues and supervisor were aware of her situation and encouraged her to reach out to Bel isi for support. Working with Mary, her employer, and the Bel isi PNG team were able to extract Mary and her children safely from her situation and provide safe refuge for her. It took a lot of planning and joint work. An application for an Interim Protection Order with the police and Family Court was successful. Bel isi PNG has worked with Mary on a safety plan which she is now implementing to ensure she and her children stay safe.

Taking this step took enormous courage and trust from Mary. It also required very skilled case work and interagency cooperation. It needed a supervisor and colleagues who were able to reach out and support Mary with good information. It needed Bel isi PNG to know how to work with Mary, her employer, and the relevant agencies to get a safety net around her and her children.

This act of courage empowered her to take that huge step of leaving her abusive relationship. Safety planning is a basic but hugely complex case management need. Many working women struggle to cope with abusive relationships on their own. Having a supportive employer and colleagues who were familiar with the services offered by Bel isi provided Mary with the help she needed.

Photos courtesy of PNG Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender Based Violence Facebook page.

On the 24th of May, a special Parliamentary Committee on Gender Based Violence (GBV) held an Enquiry to assess the situation of GBV service provision in Papua New Guinea.

Supported by both the United Nations and European Union, the National GBV Parliamentary Committee was made up of Milne Bay Governor, Charles Able; East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird; National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop; and Deputy Opposition Leader, Dr Allan Marat.  

Bel isi PNG was invited by the Committee to share what was being done to address family and sexual violence in the private sector. The Bel isi PNG Program Manager, Ms Danielle Winfrey, provided the Committee with a summary on the work being done under Bel isi PNG. The challenges faced in the referral of cases within a resource-challenged setting was also addressed.

The increasing cases of child abuse was also raised as a serious concern and for relevant government agencies to be held accountable. The Program Manager highlighted the disconnect between the Family Protection Act and Lukautim Pikinini Act which created loopholes in accessing justice and protection for survivors. Service providers both in government and the non-government sectors provided information on challenges and what could be done to address those challenges.

The Committee made a request to the Minister of Treasury, Hon. Ian Ling Stuckey, to allocate K10million to support the implementation of the National Gender Based Violence Strategy to address gender-based violence/family sexual violence.

A report from the Enquiry was presented at the parliament sitting on the 12th of August 2021 to raise the issue of gender-based violence and lobby support for more funding in the sector.

In the first half of 2021, the Bel isi Case Management Centre (CMC) continued to provide case management services in partnership with core service providers such as the police, Welfare, Public Solicitor’s Office, courts, and other safe houses within the referral pathway. Key achievements have included the Bel isi PNG CMC support to 173 clients, of which 169 were new clients and 4 were re-opened cases - an average of 29 clients per month. Cumulative total of clients assisted by Bel isi PNG from October 2018 to end of June 2021 is 1,004 with most referrals from the police.

From January to June 2021, 65 applications for Interim Protection Orders (IPOs) were lodged, 45 were granted and issued, 23 orders were served to perpetrators, and 26 IPOs were converted to Protection Orders (PO). This is a result of 1,783 Case Worker consultations.

Bel isi PNG has 15 current subscribers who have all committed to addressing family and sexual violence in their organisation and supporting their staff to access safe and quality case management and safe house services. The strong leadership and dedication towards helping staff in these companies and organisations have enabled their staff to reach out for help and provide a supportive work environment for them.

The Bel isi initiative is an innovative public private civil society partnership between Papua New Guinean and international businesses, the National Capital District Commission and is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Oil Search, Bank of South Pacific, Steamships Trading Co. Femili PNG and the Business Coalition for Women.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) in collaboration with the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW) recently released an evaluation report on the benefits to business on the Bel isi PNG initiative on the 29th of July 2021. The research was funded by the Australian Government and is the baseline for this work in Papua New Guinea. The report, Workplace responses to Family and Sexual Violence in PNG: Measuring the Business Case can be found at the following IFC link.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/04d3b3d0-3d05-45ba-a042-3f626a3a197e/PNG-FSV-Report_FINAL.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=nHL.E5K

The survey was conducted in 2020 with three Bel isi PNG subscribers to measure the cost effectiveness of having a workplace response to family and sexual violence, along with having access to the Bel isi PNG Case Management and Safe House services offered under the subscription.

The research has some important findings for Bel isi PNG subscribers and other organisations in Papua New Guinea. Notably, the research found a correlation between the gender balance of the workforce, the level of support that companies provide to respond to family and sexual violence, and positive outcomes. This includes less acceptance of family and sexual violence, higher reporting of family and sexual violence, fewer days lost to the impacts of family and sexual violence, and more helpful responses.

Over 1,400 participants from the three companies took part in the survey.

The following excerpt (taken directly from the report, page 47) provides important insights to the challenges facing women in the workforce and to companies which want to address FSV and to support their employees who are dealing with violence in their lives.

“Just over 40 percent of people who participated in the survey for this research have directly experienced family and sexual violence. Although more women than men have experienced it, the problem affects all genders and at all levels of seniority within the participating companies. Most participants with no direct experience of violence have family or friends affected by it. A workplace response to family and sexual violence which could incorporate Bel isi PNG is much needed”. (pg. 47)

Nearly half of all participants (47 percent) said their work is affected because of family and sexual violence. The survey and interviews were carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicate that the stresses caused by the crisis may have worsened family and sexual violence.

At least 16 percent of survey participants affected by family and sexual violence said they sometimes feel unsafe at work.

Over the next 18 months the IFC and BCFW will be undertaking further work to help evaluate the impact of Bel isi PNG and the benefits to businesses of supporting such initiatives. 

The survey showed what these companies are doing well and highlight what could be strengthened.

We acknowledge the commitment of all subscribers in having a workplace response to family and sexual violence through your subscription to Bel isi PNG. 

Robin Fleming, Co-Chair Bel isi PNG Steering Committee, BSP CEO

As we come to the end of a challenging year, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our valued partners, subscribers, clients and the public for your support and engagement through 2020. It has been quite a challenging year, but we have all managed to pull through together with your support.

The journey behind Bel isi PNG took about 5 years before it was launched in September 2018 with the coming together of partners Steamships, Oil Search, G4S, NCDC, the Business Coalition for Women, Femili PNG, the Australian Government and BSP.

With the support of our partners and subscribers Bel isi has given protection to the many survivors of abuse as well as empowering over 2,000 employees from subscribing companies with the knowledge and tools about their rights, the laws in place to protect them, how to recognise abuse and where to go to get help. We now have 14 companies/organisations who are current subscribers.

Bel isi has just completed two years of operations and as of October 2020, registered 720 survivors of abuse who needed our intervention. We are the only Case Management Centre operating in Port Moresby and have the most secure safe house for our clients. We work closely with the police, courts and other safe houses to ensure our clients’ cases get attended to quickly.

We recognise the difficult financial circumstances many businesses are experiencing and are grateful for their commitment to Bel isi PNG and the many survivors of abuse who need our help.

Thank you once again for your support and I wish you all a merry Christmas and prosperous 2021.

Bel isi PNG

Bel isi PNG wishes to inform subscribers and the public that our Case Management Centre will be open through the festive period except for the public holidays on the 24th and 25th of December and 1st of January.

For high risk FSV cases, the Bel isi PNG Safe House will remain on call throughout the festive period.

Please call the Bel isi PNG number on 70554401 should you have any queries.

Police FSVU officers after receiving their certificates from a five-day workshop.

Twenty one newly appointed Family and Sexual Violence police officers from the Family and Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU) recently attended a five- day workshop in Port Moresby. The aim was to enhance their understanding on the importance of the FSV unit and what their role requires of them to do.

Director of FSV unit Superintendent Delilah Sandeka said, “It is a sensitive area of work and so it is important for police officers to understand what their roles and responsibilities are, and how they can effectively help victims access services.”

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent adds, “Police officers at the FSV unit must be able to use whatever resources available and best policing practice to help victims. I urge all you officers treat victims right, provide the help they need because it is your job to do.”

He further adds, the fight against violence should be a collective effort. He urged stakeholders to work in partnership with the police and the government in order to address issuing related to gender-based violence.

Danelle Winfrey, Bel Isi Program Manager said, ““Bel isi PNG values our partnership with the RPNGC. We acknowledge we cannot do our job to protect survivors of violence without the support of the police. We will continue to strengthen this partnership and collaboration”

This workshop was made possible with the support of Bel isi PNG and its partners including the Australian Federal Police.

BSP family enjoying a fun day out.

After our homes, our office and workplaces become the second most familiar place for many in the workforce. In fact, if we remove the amount of time we sleep at home we end up spending more active time at the office than in our homes. For this reason, many companies and organisations realise the need to have a healthy work-life balance and have begun to include families in end of year official fun day events.

This allows families to come together to meet their partner’s colleagues and hear about what the company or organisation is doing. Being inclusive of family members goes a long way in building trust and appreciation between the workforce and their families.

Bel isi PNG was privileged to be invited to two of our partners and subscribers Family Fun Days to witness the joyous events and raise awareness among staff and their families on the services Bel isi provides. The theme of the event was ‘Healthy families, healthy lives’.

On Saturday the 7th of October, BSP held its Family Fun Day at two different locations to ensure COVID-19 protocols were observed. The two venues included the Oil Search National Football Stadium and Sir John Guise Stadium. Hundreds of BSP staff turned up at both locations with their spouses, children and other family members to take part in a fun packed program of Zumba, games, the police dog show and the now famous senior management team relay led by their staunch CEO, Robin Fleming.

Robin Fleming, BSP CEO, ready with his BSP relay team.

The United Nations held their Family Fun Day in quite a different setting but with no less fun on Monday the 7th of December at the Port Moresby Nature Park. Under the United Nations Delivering as One banner, all the different UN agencies turned up with their families to celebrate the end of a challenging year tackling COVID-19 in partnership with the PNG Government.

The UN Resident Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla led his team and their families in dance and light-hearted fun after going through a year full of uncertainty to ensure the pandemic was managed appropriately.

Bel isi PNG and other services providers such as Lamana Dental and the Cancer Foundation were also present at the event to inform staff and their families on where to go if they needed help.

UN Family Fun day at Nature Park

Pam Kenyon (right) and Kristine Castilio (left) of Namba Wan Trophy Ltd handing over the donations to Konnie Yoifa and Danielle Winfrey of Bel isi PNG.

As we come to the end of a challenging but successful year, we would like to sincerely thank all our partners and subscribers who have donated generously in cash and kind to Bel isi PNG. All donations are shared with other safe houses and essential service providers such as the Port Moresby General Hospital to help survivors of violence and the sick.

During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Exxon Mobil donated two containers of frozen food items which was very timely. The Bel isi team worked tirelessly to make sure all the public safe houses, the City Mission Youths, Bomana prison and Port Moresby General Hospital received the frozen goods in good condition.

We also thank the Australian High Commission staff for their kind donations and ongoing support throughout the year.

We would also like to acknowledge PNG Namba Wan Trophy Ltd for their generous donations of food, clothes and stationery for children. Namba Wan Trophy has also arranged for bread to be delivered two times a week to Bel isi PNG which we then share with the other public safe houses. A special mention to Yolande Saesaria Gui of NWTL Special Projects and Brookwater Community Brisbane Australia, NWTL CSR Team and Harish Srinivasan of Seafast Pty Ltd (for the transport of the donated goods from Australia). From the Bel isi PNG team and the people of PNG we say thank you.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us in one way or the other for your time, support and donations.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2021 from the Bel isi PNG team.

Leon Buskens, Oil Search Ltd Country Manager, delivering his commentary at the National GBV Summit

Prime Minister James Marape urged men in PNG to rise-up and pledge at a personal level to stop violence against women and girls in his opening remarks at the inaugural National GBV Summit.

The three-day National GBV Summit, held in Port Moresby from the 8th to the 10th of November, was a historical event which brought together the Coalition of Parliamentarians against GBV and stakeholders for the very first time to address GBV as a national agenda.

The Coalition of Parliamentarians Against GBV, led by NCD Governor Powes Parkop and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, is made up of 15 parliamentarians who have started lobbying for more political will and action at the national level.

The three-day high level dialogue captured recommendations for the Coalition of Parliamentarians which they took to parliament sitting the same week. Over 700 participants from across the country took part in the summit.

Bel isi PNG played an active role in the planning and implementation of the Summit as part of the NCD GBV Task Team led by Governor Parkop and his team at NCDC.  The United Nations and European Union jointly funded the event through the Spot Light initiative.

The leadership from the private sector in addressing GBV/FSV was evident at the summit with two prominent business leaders, Robin Fleming, CEO of BSP, and Leon Buskens, Oil Search PNG Country Manager, sharing their experience as supporters organisational subscribers to Bel isi PNG.

Governor Parkop challenged his political counterparts to rise up and follow the lead and example private sector has initiated in combating GBV/FSV holistically.

Collaborative partnerships are key to addressing gender-based violence, according to Leon Buskens. Buskens reaffirmed Oil Search's commitment in driving change through leadership and collaborative partnership. In his address, he drew attention to the availability of initiatives, such as Bel isi PNG that provide case management and safe house services.

He noted that by the end of the second year of operations, Bel isi PNG has been able to assist more than 700 survivors of violence and abuse. Most of them were women, followed by children and around 30 were men. Of the 700 survivors, more than 200 women and children have required a safe house because their personal safety, and sometimes their lives, were at risk. 

Robin Fleming emphasised  the need to focus on families and to put God first in all we do. BSP has been actively taking part in the Thursdays in Black campaign in all  BSP branches throughout the country with  leadership and support from the most senior leaders in BSP.

The Bel isi PNG initiative is an innovative public private civil society partnership between Papua New Guinean and international businesses, the National Capital District Commission and is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Bank of South Pacific, Oil Search, Steamships Trading Company, the Business Coalition for Women, Femili PNG and G4S.

Haus Ruth is one of the oldest and most trusted safe house services in PNG. Over the years the property had become extremely dilapidated and its operator, City Mission lacked resources for essential repairs.  

Funds raised by Bel isi PNG and Oil Search Foundation in November 2018 during a walk to end violence against women were used for renovations.

Over K300,000. was donated by companies and individuals to support the fundraising effort. The renovations, completed in June, have improved the safety, security and general functioning of the safe house, providing a more welcoming and safe service for women and children fleeing violence. 

Curtain Brothers was contracted to carry out the maintenance work and many other business partners also contributed at their own cost.  Planpac completed the design and City Mission provided labour support for all the painting and repairs through their youth program. 

ODG then donated and installed the fire alarm system; Dulux Paints donated all the exterior and interior paint and Badilli Hardware provided doors, timber, hardware and plumbing.  Bishop Brothers provided painting equipment.  Oil Search Foundation managed the funding and ensured all money donated was properly accounted for.

This extraordinary example of partnership with support from the business community is inspirational.  The before and after photos below demonstrate the amazing job carried out by Curtain Brothers and
the City Mission Youth

Haus Ruth - Before

Haus Ruth - After

Bel isi PNG is pleased to announce the added benefit of support in developing, implementing and reviewing policies addressing family and sexual violence (FSV) for our subscribers. The Business Coalition for Women
will be providing this support at no additional cost under the Bel isi PNG subscription package.

Dealing with FSV can be a daunting task, whether the staff affected is the victim or the perpetrator. Organisations can respond better to FSV situations with a carefully crafted FSV policy and procedure. An effective policy identifies available support options such as leave provisions, transport and case
management services. BCFW will help each partner develop an approach that suits the specific needs of their organisation and staff.

For those interested in the role the private sector plays in family and sexual violence please refer to the following report, The COVID-19 shadow pandemic: Domestic violence in the world of work: A call to action for the private sector,  link provided:  https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/06/brief-domestic-violence-in-the-world-of-work

It has been a busy period for our team at the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre since the COVID-19 State of Emergency (SoE) was declared. We remain very concerned about the spike in levels of violence being reported across the world and anticipate increases in PNG.

Between the months of January to June 2020, the Bel isi PNG operator, Femili PNG, received a total of 208 new cases and four reopened cases bringing the progressive total to 619 clients since the case management centre was opened in October 2018.   

Since January 2020 we provided 39 clients and 20 dependents with safe accommodation. A total of 1,945 consultations were provided to clients, service providers or the relatives of the clients in the same time period. Thirteen individuals (women and children) were repatriated to their home provinces with the support of Bel isi PNG partners.  

Women represented majority of new clients (87.5%) followed by female child clients at 6.7%, male adult clients at 3.8%, and male child clients at 1.9%.

Of the 208 new clients, 31 survivors identified as having a disability (14.9%), with a few survivors having more than one disability.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is consistently the highest cause of presentation with 87% of clients experiencing it.   Around 8% clients experienced child abuse and 2% experienced sexual abuse not related
to IPV. One percent of clients presented with sorcery related violence. 

From February to March 2020 we provided FSV awareness sessions for 214 staff from subscribing companies, bringing the progressive total of staff attending these awareness sessions to 2,626 since 2018.

Due to the onset of COVID-19 and the strict government regulations in place we will not be hosting public events with big gatherings in the foreseeable future.  This includes the annual Bel isi PNG Leadership Forum and the Bel isi PNG Walk to End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAW) which usually takes place in
November. We will continue to provide regular updates and communication via email and virtual meetings during this period.

We have 15 companies that have subscribed to Bel isi PNG and others negotiating new subscriptions demonstrating the ongoing need for these services.  

The Bel isi PNG initiative is an innovative public/private/civil society partnership between Papua New Guinean and international businesses, the National Capital District Commission, and is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Bank of South Pacific, the Business Coalition for Women, Oil Search Foundation, Oil Search Limited, G4S and Steamships Trading Co.

Air Niugini, has joined Bel isi PNG by becoming a subscriber of the service.

Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has joined Bel isi PNG by becoming a subscriber which will ensure support to victims of family and sexual violence (FSV). The initiative recognizes the impact family and sexual violence has on employees, and the increasing costs to employers and businesses in general as a result of this.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Bruce Alabaster said with the partnership now in place, airline staff who are faced with family and sexual violence will now be able get timely assistance with well-coordinated processes and procedures in place to guide them.

He said “Air Niugini does not condone any form of violence including family and sexual violence and we are serious about this partnership to ensure our staff are protected from violence, especially our female staff who make up 48 percent of the workforce.

Mr. Alabaster added that continuous violence can have short- and long-term impacts on the mental and physical health of staff which can in turn have significant economic and social costs not only for employees and employers but also the wider community.

“Implications of family and sexual violence vary from a staff not being able to perform at work to lost productivity, increased staff turn-over, increased absenteeism and others. It is therefore important that any staff faced with violence gets the assistance that he/she requires regardless of the gender.” Mr. Alabaster said.

Bel isi PNG is a public, private, civil society partnership that provides access to case management and safe house services for survivors of family and sexual violence (FSV). Along with that it provides business leaders with transformational tools to support change in the workplace and community, this includes awareness training for all staff and support with FSV policy development and implementation.

Bel Isi PNG Program Manager, Danielle Winfrey expressed appreciation, “We look forward to the opportunities this partnership with Air Niugini presents.  Through this subscription service, Bel isi PNG will support Air Niugini to comprehensively address the impact of family and sexual violence in their workforce.”

Evonne Kennedy, Executive Director for Business Coalition for Women added: “The business community can play an important role in providing a timely response to staff who are experiencing family and sexual violence.  We know the significant costs of family violence to business. We also know companies can play an important role in raising awareness and making sure that staff have access to good support”.   

Bel isi PNG is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea as part of the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program, Business Coalition for
Women, National Capital District Commission, Bank of South Pacific, Steamships Trading Co, G4S and Oil Search.

If you are subject to abuse or violence or know someone who is; seek support through the Bel isi PNG Case
Management Centre. Call the emergency contact numbers on, Bel isi PNG Case Management: 79169063 ,  St John Ambulance 111, Counselling: 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim, 7am-7pm, 7150-8000, Police: 24hr Toll Free Hot Line 1800-100, Transport: G4S Meri Seif Line 7222-1234, COVID-19 Toll Free Help Line 1800200,   Or you can visit www.belisipng.org.pg or email info@belisipng.org.pg

Femili PNG, operator of Bel isi PNG, handed over the much needed PPE to the National FSVU Coordinator Chief Inspector Delilah Sandeka at the National FSVU Office at Boroko Police Station.

Bel is PNG has come to the aid of the Police Department with donation of essential equipment to assist its COVID 19 response.

It donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and hand sanitizers to the Department’s Family and Sexual Violence Units. (RPNG FSVU)

This donation was made possible through funds raised by four local development workers - Stephanie Copus-Campbell from Oil Search Foundation, Jacqui Joseph of Equal Playing Field, World Bank’s Patricia Veever-Carter and Oxfam PNG’s Charlotte Kakebeeke who took part in a marathon in Dublin, Ireland last year.

The quartet ran the 42km race to raise funds to support efforts addressing violence against women and children in PNG. They raised K250,000 and donated this to Bel isi PNG.  Their sponsors included Friends of Femili PNG, Oil Search, Curtain Brothers and many individuals.

Femili PNG, the operator of Bel isi PNG presented the much- needed equipment to the RPNG’s National FSVU Coordinator, Chief Inspector Delilah Sandeka at the National FSVU office in Port Moresby. 

The National FSVU office expressed gratitude for the donation which also included hand sanitizers.

“We appreciate and are grateful for this timely assistance from Bel isi PNG and Femili PNG during this SOE COVID-19 response. It’s a team effort and it is also encouraging to see partners supporting each other to help survivors of violence,” said Chief Inspector Sandeka.

“This will go a long way in supporting the work we do. The masks and hand sanitisers will be distributed to all the FSVU’s in Port Moresby along with the RPNGC Sexual Offences Squad and police stations in Central province,’ she said.

Director of Femili PNG Port Moresby, Konnie Yoifa said, “The safety of our law enforcers is important because they continue to work daily in responding to cases of domestic violence. The PPE’s donated were from the efforts of our many partners who continue to play a transformational role in supporting the work we do.”

Bel isi PNG is committed to working with all its key partners such as the Police Family and Sexual Violence Units, the National Capital District Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee, the Port Moresby Family Support Centre, 1-Tok Kaunseling Helpim Line and Child and Family Services to ensure ongoing support
in responding to cases of domestic violence during this uncertain time.

“If you are subject to abuse or violence or know someone who is, seek support through the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre. We are operating and ready to help.” said Yoifa

“You can call the emergency contact numbers for Bel isi PNG and partners on, Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre: 7055-4407, COVID-19 Toll Free Help Line 1800200,  St John Ambulance 111, 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim, open 7am-7pm every day on, 7150-8000, Police: 24hr Toll Free Hot Line 1800-100, Emergency Transport: G4S Meri Seif Line 7222-1234. Or you can email Bel isi PNG at info@belisipng.org.pg

The Bel isi PNG initiative is an innovative public private civil society partnership. It is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea as part of the Pacific
Women Shaping Pacific Development Program, National Capital District Commission, Bank of South Pacific, Steamships Trading Co, G4S and Oil Search.

The Bel isi PNG initiative is an innovative public private civil society partnership.

COVID-19 is not only a public health threat but also poses social risks including the potential to
increase fear and stigma, discrimination and violence.

Many people have been told to stay at home during the COVID-19 global pandemic to prevent the
spread of the virus in the event there is a widespread outbreak in Papua New Guinea. But for some,
that could mean more time in the very place where they are experiencing a different threat to their
safety and well-being - family violence and child abuse.

This is a major concern for all countries around the world and PNG is no exception.

One initiative that has continued to offer services during the COVID-19 State of Emergency is Bel isi
PNG, a public, private and civil society partnership, operated by Femili PNG. The
organisation supports those experiencing family and sexual violence while engaging the
private sector in collaboration with other partners, from both the government and civil
society.

Seventy-nine new clients have accessed the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre during
the State of Emergency, bringing the progressive total to 538 client s since the organisation
opened its doors in October 2018. Out of these 79 clients, 19 individuals were provided
safe accommodation at the Bel is i PNG Safe House, bringing the progressive total to 195
since inception.

Bel isi PNG is grateful for the support from key essential partners such as the Police Family
and Sexual Violence Units, the National Capital District Family and Sexual Violence Act ion
Commit tee, the Port Moresby Family Support Centre, 1-Tok Kaunseling Helpim Line and
Child and Family Services for their ongoing support in responding to cases of domestic
violence.

The outcomes achieved for clients include interim and permanent court protection orders,
arrest of perpetrators, medical referrals, referral and case management for child abuse
cases and repatriation to home locations away from their violent environment.

“Bel isi PNG takes the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and has put in place all necessary
measures to mitigate any foreseeable risk to our operations” says Bel isi PNG Project Manager Danielle
Winfrey. “As in other countries we are seeing a rise in domestic violence cases due to the imposed
lockdowns. Because of this the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre and Safe House operated by
Femili PNG remains open and ready to help survivors,”

Winfrey also shares a comment by a survivor who told her “ with the current pandemic, I thought the
services were closed and did not think my case worker would check on me, but after receiving a call
from the centre I was overwhelmed to know that the services are still available for access.”

If you are subject to abuse or violence or know someone who is; seek support through the Bel isi PNG
Case Management Centre. We are operating and ready to help.

You can call the emergency contact numbers on, Bel isi PNG Case Management: 7055-4407, COVID-
19 Toll Free Help Line 1800200, St John Ambulance 111, Counselling: 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim, 7am-
7pm, 7150-8000, Police: 24hr Toll Free Hot Line 1800-100, Transport: G4S Meri Seif Line 7222-1234. Or
you can visit www.belisipng.org.pg or email info@belisipng.org.pg

The Bel isi PNG initiative is an innovative public private civil society partnership. It is supported
by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea as part
of the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program, National Capital District
Commission, Bank of South Pacific, Steamships Trading Co, G4S and Oil Search.