Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn’t answered below please get in touch via the contact page
Employees
Is there a law against Family and Sexual Violence in PNG?
There is a law against Family and Sexual Violence in PNG and this is known as the Family Protection Act (2013), later amended in 2022. You can report an act of family violence in a number of ways and perpetrators can be prosecuted under the Family Protection Act (2013).
Where can I go for help if I am experiencing Family and Sexual Violence?
Your workplace may have nominated a contact officer who has access to more detailed information to support you. They can help you to access further support in the local NCD area.
If you are not comfortable approaching someone at work you can go directly to Bel isi PNG to begin to talk about what your options are. Bel isi PNG will assign you a Case Manager.
Contact details for Bel isi PNG are in the Bel isi PNG Employee Toolkit along with the numbers of other support services in Port Moresby.
What about my children? What services are available for them?
Services are available for your children and include counselling, welfare and clinical services. Please speak to your Bel isi PNG Case Manager about their needs and how to access support.
Who needs to know about my situation?
No one needs to know about your situation. However, for your own wellbeing as well as safety it is important you confide in some trusted people. This could include your workplace contact if one is nominated or someone else at work you trust, a family member or friend, and your Case Manager. Sharing your story in a safe way can help you manage your stress and keep you healthy enabling you to continue to parent well (if you have children) and perform at work so you can keep a secure income.
Can I keep working and earning while dealing with this issue?
Yes, you can. Your Case Manager will assist you to return to work as soon as possible. If you are staying at emergency accommodation speak to your workplace contact about the options available for you to access safe transport to and from the accommodation.
When can I access Bel isi PNG services?
The Case Management Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Safe House operates 24 hours but will only accept clients through a referral from the Case Management Centre.
What if I or someone I know has been raped?
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, please present to the Family Support Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital as soon as possible. It is essential you access treatment to potentially prevent HIV infection or an unwanted pregnancy. The Family Support Centre is open from 9am – 5pm Monday- Friday. If you require assistance outside of these hours, please present to the emergency department at Port Moresby General Hospital.
How can my organisation support me?
Your organisation may have a policy about Family and Sexual Violence and can do a number of things to support you. You can get more information from your nominated workplace contact, if available, or through your HR department.
Who can I trust?
Anyone you speak to about these issues at Bel isi PNG can be trusted to ensure your information is not shared. If your organisation has a nominated a workplace contact, they will also be trained in confidentiality. There are strict confidentiality principles and agreements safe guarding your personal information, and if these are not adhered to, the relevant staff member can be penalised for breaching confidentiality.
Will my information be collected and used against me?
No. Your information will be collected by your Bel isi PNG Case Manager for the benefit of assisting you through the process you wish to follow. This information is de-identified which means that your file will be provided with a special code that only the Bel isi PNG team can access.
In the case of an emergency situation, who can I call afterhours?
In the event of an emergency afterhours your organisation may provide access to safe transport options if you need this to attend a hospital for medical care or a police station. You can also access G4S Secure Solutions. Almost all the safe houses in Port Moresby will not accept anyone outside of normal working hours (9am-5pm Monday - Friday). This is because of safety reasons. But you can go to the Emergency Room at the Port Moresby General Hospital which has a 24hour service.
If you do request emergency transport, have a safe place in mind where you know you can go and seek refuge. This may be at a friend or relative’s house until you can make some alternative arrangements. For emergency transport after hours you can call the G4S Meri Seif Lain on 7222 1234 which is a service provided by G4S 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The security drivers and escorts are trained in providing support to survivors so they will know how to speak with you and where to take you.
Where can I go after hours if I am fearing for my own or my children’s safety?
One option is to go to the emergency room at Port Moresby General Hospital which is safe and has 24 hour access. Your organisation may provide access to safe transport options if you need them or you can call G4S on 7221234.
How safe is the emergency accommodation?
The Safe House has been professionally designed to ensure maximum security. Bank of South Pacific will ensure the premises are guarded 24 hours.
When can I access the Safe House services? What about my family?
A Bel isi PNG Case Manager will help you develop a safety plan. If this plan identifies the need for safe accommodation, you will be referred to the Bel isi PNG Safe House. Depending on the safety plan, you may be able to bring immediate female family members and immediate male family members under 12 years of age. For men and immediate male family members over 12 years of age, there is safe paid accommodation options available.
How long can I stay at the Safe House?
A case worker will work with you to determine the length of stay at the Safe House. The maximum stay is two weeks unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What is a workplace contact?
Your organisation is encouraged to appoint at least one workplace contact who has access to more detailed training and information to support employees who are experiencing family and sexual violence. Your workplace contact is likely to undertake information raising sessions with staff and is a trusted individual you can confide in and seek support from.
Are Safe House and Case Management Services open after hours?
The Case Management Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Safe House operates 24 hours but will only accept clients through a referral from the Case Management Centre.
Is there transport available to the Case Management Centre and Safe House?
Transportation may be provided by your organisation or yourself. Please seek guidance from your workplace contacts if nominated or from your HR Department.Only authorised vehicles have access to the Bel isi PNG safe house.
Employers
What is a workplace contact?
Employers are strongly encouraged to appoint at least one workplace contact who has access to more detailed information to support staff members who are experiencing family and sexual violence. It is also recommended that the workplace contact undertake information raising sessions with staff. For some organisations who wish to ensure gender equity, a male and a female workplace contact could be nominated and trained.
How are workplace contacts selected, trained and supported?
The process to select a workplace contact should be done carefully, including through HR and/or staff recommendations. Bel isi PNG is developing a training program and support network program for workplace contacts and can assist employers with the selection process. This is an additional service that will be offered for a reasonable fee. The training program will be launched in January 2019.
Who operates the Safe House and Case Management Centre?
The PNG NGO, Femili PNG operates both the case management centre and safe house. Femili PNG is a well-respected organisation that has delivered quality case management services in Lae. They have qualified staff who have many years of experience supporting FSV service delivery.
What services are included in Case Management?
A professional case manager worker will meet with a survivor and help them to find a solution to their problem. This includes assisting them to access community services such as medical support, police, legal advice, protection orders, safe house access and counselling. They will also help the survivor to develop a safety plan and help them to return and focus at work.
How do I know that subscription fees are well managed?
Santos Foundation (SF) has donated its financial and project management services to manage Bel isi PNG, including all financial management. SF has a strong reputation for project management, is regularly audited and has in-house professional finance management expertise. SF will report to the Bel isi PNG Inc. Board and the Santos Foundation Board, ensuring strong governance.
How can your staff access the Case Management Centre?
Staff will be provided with contact numbers for the Bel isi PNG Case Management Centre. They can also be referred to the centre by their employer, the Family Support Centre at Port Moresby General and the 1-tok counselling line.
When can staff access the safe house services? What about families?
A Bel isi PNG case management worker will help an employee develop a safety plan. If this plan identifies the need for a safe haven, the staff member will be referred to the Bel isi PNG Safe House, which will provide a professional, secure and compassionate service. Depending on the safety plan, clients may be able to bring immediate female family members and immediate male family members under 12 years of age.
How long can a staff member stay at the safe house?
A case worker will work with your staff member to determine the length of time at the Safe House. The maximum stay is two weeks unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Are Safe House and Case Management Services open after hours?
The Case Management Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Safe House operates 24 hours but will only accept clients through a referral from the Case Management Centre.
What happens if a staff member needs emergency assistance and/or shelter outside of 9am – 5pm? Where is the safest place they should go?
One option is to go to the emergency room at Port Moresby General Hospital which is safe and has 24 hour access. Employers are encouraged to provide transport options for staff who need them after hours for emergencies.
How are staff transported to the Case Management Centre and Safe House?
Transportation should be provided by the employee’s organisation or the employee. One of the most significant challenges for those experiencing FSV is transport after hours. This includes transport to escape a dangerous situation or to access services such as medical care or the police. Employers are encouraged to work with their security provider to provide this service. Bel isi PNG can assist to define how this could operate.
As a key Bel isi PNG partner, G4S Secure Solutions is also providing a free service for any survivor who requires transport to the hospital or police. Bel isi PNG will train drivers and security escorts on how to engage with a survivor as an early responder.
How is security ensured?
The Safe House has been professionally designed to ensure maximum security. Bank of South Pacific will ensure the premises are guarded 24 hours. Security guards will receive training on how to engage with survivors to ensure they are sensitive to FSV issues.
Will I know which of my employees are accessing Bel isi PNG services?
Bel isi PNG is obliged to protect the confidentiality of all of its clients both within the Safe House and Case Management Centre. As a result, we are not able to identify individuals who access our services. Instead we will assign each client an ID and this will be linked to a subscribing organisation. We can let their employer know how many of their staff access services.
How is confidentially assured for staff members accessing Bel isi PNG services?
Bel isi PNG has very strict confidentiality procedures. .We use client identification numbers rather than names on all paperwork. All records are kept in locked filing cabinets and we use password protected electronic systems. We also ensure strict internal confidentiality, for example even our case workers don't have access to each other's client information. Our staff are well trained on their responsibilities to ensure confidentiality and this is included in all staff contracts.
What happens when supply exceeds demand in the safe house?
To the extent possible, access to a safe house will be a last resort and only used when a survivor is at risk. However, in the event the safe house is full there will be options for the survivor to stay at a hotel or another safe house in NCD. Bel isi PNG is working with local safe houses to improve their services.
How can staff access additional counselling services?
Bel isi PNG can offer basic counselling as part of the case management service. However, if professional counselling is recommended the Bel isi PNG case manager can recommend services. Many of these will incur an additional fee.
How is an organisation's contribution branded?
Organisations that donate, above subscription fees, over PGK1,000,000 will have the opportunity for their logo to be displayed on all Bel isi PNG materials. However, we encourage all subscribers to promote their support for Bel isi PNG. If an organisation is a subscriber they can use the brand.
Bel isi PNG is proudly supported by the following donors and partners:
