BSP Staff attending Bel isi PNG organised EVAW Walk

Since the inception of the BSP Group FSV policy in May 2019, BSP has seen the importance of ensuring we stand by our objective to say NO to violence and create a safe and supportive organizational culture. This year, BSP as a partner and sub-scriber to the Bel isi PNG initiative, participated in the Bel isi PNG organized Elimination Against Violence Walk (EVAW) on the 25th November, along with many other subscribing companies standing in solidarity to voice our stance against all forms of violence against women and girls.

BSP also conducted numerous campaigns during the 16 days of Activism including a Financial Abuse Awareness Campaign that ran for 10 days and our annual ‘I am a feminist’ campaign. The ’I am a feminist’ campaign highlighted the support of BSP Leadership and our partners in an effort to ensure all our work spaces model an organizational culture that is safe and sup-portive for staff who may be experiencing Family and sexual violence and to recognize the partnerships and levels of re-sponse we prioritise to safeguard our community. We are grateful that through our campaigns and the strength of our partner-ships and networks we are able to provide appropriate support using the Bel isi PNG and NCD referral pathways. BSP will continue to be an advocate against all forms of violence against women and girls in all the countries that we operate in.

Santos staff and contractors during an evening in-person DV awareness session.

The Santos Foundation organised domestic violence (DV) or family and sexual violence (FSV) awareness sessions through its gender program for Santos employees and contractors in the lead up to and after the elimination of violence against women (EVAW) day. The team has delivered these sessions for the staff and contractors in Port Moresby and to the three Santos camps offsite.

Through these awareness sessions, over 300 staff and contractors have been reached. The Santos Medical and Wellbeing team were the first team to undergo the sessions, given their role as Santos’ first point of contact for DV or FSV incidences, given their medical background and presence in all Santos locations. The Port Moresby staff were reached through three virtual sessions and the off-field site visits included 3 in-person sessions and 3 virtual sessions for each of the three sites.

The objective of the sessions was to increase participant awareness on what DV is and its different forms and impact, how they can respond to conflict to avoid the risk of violence and how they can access support services. It was also important to note that DV is not just experienced by women and children, men are also impacted by DV. As part of the Santos response to domestic violence, the organisation implements a DV procedure that ensures a safe, consistent, supportive, non-judgemental workplace in which employees exposed to DV can readily seek support. Through the Santos Medical & Wellbeing team, staff can access medical assistance as well as referral to in-house counselling support or to the Bel isi PNG initiative.

Santos is a key partner and subscriber to Bel isi PNG and staff and contractors were also informed of the Bel isi PNG services. The sessions included information on the Bel isi case management centre (CMC) and the services provided from the CMC. It also included information around Bel isi safe house and information around who can access this service. The information sessions also included BCFW’s organisational support available to subscribing organisations how they can help support with education awareness for Santos staff.

The sessions were delivered in a mix of Tok Pisin and English.

Australia Awards Contact Team members and the Bel isi PNG team to witness the certificate awarding ceremony.

With this service in place, staff have received the necessary support requested by them and the feedback they provided was positive,” says Clara Numbasa, a senior coordinator for Short Course Awards and one of the first support officers for family and sexual violence at Australia Awards PNG.

On November 2 and 3, 2022, four staff members of Australia Awards PNG were trained as support officers for family and sexual violence by Business Coalition for Women (BCFW). They succeeded the six other staff who were trained and have been providing this support since 2017. Australia Awards PNG is a member of Bel Isi PNG and has also been working closely with BCFW to deliver leadership courses over the last five years.

The two-day training was designed to give the support officers the skills they need to:

• appropriately respond to a victim’s disclosure, making sure that the victim’s choices are respected,

• support a victim to access available support services, and

• act as leaders and champions to raise awareness about family and sexual violence.

“The support officers are the first point of contact for any employee who may have experienced family and sexual violence”. Lawrence Baro says that the training taught him that Family and Sexual Violence Officers are not there to decide on the best options for survivors, but to advise them on what help is available. “This training was quite confronting for me in some ways,” says Lawrence, “but I also found it reassuring to know that there are processes in place to support people when they are experiencing incredibly difficult situations. I now feel equipped to be able to help my colleagues which gives me confidence in an area I previously found difficult to talk about.”

Family and sexual violence (FSV) is a major problem in PNG and occurs in the community, affecting people regardless of their educational, religious and cultural upbringings. It is one of the leading factors contributing to staff being absent from work or leaving their jobs.

Research has shown that, on average, two out of three women experience family and sexual violence in PNG. Men are also impacted by FSV, but there is lack of reliable data available. Most instances of this occur at home, but it becomes a workplace issue when it affects performance, productivity, or safety of a staff member. Australia Awards PNG prioritizes safeguarding against all forms of harassment and violence in the workplace and for all participants of the program. To ensure the safety of staff and their families, Australia Awards PNG, besides from having support officers, creates a haven for staff by providing access to professional case management services offered by Femili PNG, a professional safe house, and induction sessions for all employees to better understand the services that are available

The first four staff of Australia Awards PNG who were trained as support officers in 2017 were part of the working group who developed the Family and Sexual Violence Policy in line with the Family Protection Act 2013. The policy defines family and sexual violence as unacceptable and says that everyone has the right to live free from fear, violence, and abuse. Family and sexual violence comes in different forms including physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, psychological, emotional and social abuse, and economic deprivation.

The Australia Awards PNG’s FSV policy objectives are to promote a compassionate and judgment-free workplace where victims of family and sexual violence feel safe to come forward and ask for help, to direct Australia Awards PNG’s response to families whose work lives are impacted by FSV and to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.

5 TotalEnergies staff trained as Contact Team members with BCFW staff.

Bel Isi PNG is an important initiative and TEP PNG is pleased to subscribe to this important service. The program offers a holistic suite of services and support that is necessary to respond to a complex issue, recognized in the Papua New Guinea National Strategy on Gender Based Violence.

TotalEnergies Exploration & Production Papua New Guinea (TEP PNG) joined the Bel Isi PNG organised Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) walk among hundreds of other Port Moresby city residents on Friday 25th of November 2022.

TEP PNG joined the walk with the intention to promote awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) at home, schools, public spaces, and at workplaces. This commitment is in line with the Company’s objective in achieving the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) which aims is to encourage equal rights for girls and women, opportunities to live free without discrimination including workplace discrimination or any violence.

Our continuous support to initiatives like the EVAW aims to build greater connections, partnership and platforms for collective learning and action to shape a better society for everyone.

Participating in the EVAW Walk is an opportunity for TotalEnergies to join with other corporations and stakeholders to create greater awareness for staff and the public.

"We had a really good time all together. It is important to support such initiative. The least that we can do is to participate in this walk as part of our commitment in achieving the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal on Gender Equality, hoping that the message behind this initiative reaches everyone,” said the Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Mr. Richard Kassman.

NCD Governor Hon Powes Parkop and Santos PNG Country Chair Mr Leon Buskens leading the Bel isi PNG organised EVAW Walk.

by Clera Sam

25 November is the International Day for Ending of Violence Against Women (EVAW) and Girls. EVAW day is a globally recognised day aimed at raising the profile of issues related to violence against women and girls. Santos joined major donors and partners of the Bel isi PNG Initiative including BSP, Steamships, National Capital District Commission, Business Coalition for Women, Femili PNG and other subscriber organizations in the ongoing Bel isi PNG organised EVAW Walk.

Bel isi PNG is managed by Santos Foundation on behalf of the partners and this year, the EVAW walk was revived after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The event brings together the government and the private sector to commit to address Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country and contribute to improving access to support services. It is estimated that nearly a thousand people including families walked for 8KM demonstrating solidarity against all forms of violence. Santos Country Chair, Leon Buskens in his call-to-action said: “Women and girls deserve to lead safe lives. I am committed to taking leadership in the private sector to encourage my peers and colleagues to champion women’s empowerment and protection. You can also play a part by ensuring your workplace provides a safe environment to help your staff address their challenges and support them to access services.”

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. In PNG over half of women and girls have experienced some form of violence. The Demographic Health Survey 2016-2018 reports that 56% of women aged between 15 - 49 in PNG have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Along with the significant physical, emotional and mental health impacts, there is a direct cost to business. Addressing family violence is not only good for individuals and communities but it makes good business sense and is a development imperative.

Femili PNG is a proud partner in the Bel isi PNG Initiative, providing assistance to survivors of family and sexual violence to subscribing companies and the public. Femili PNG, a local PNG NGO headquartered in Lae, operates the Bel isi case management centre and safe house.

Femili PNG’s caseworkers work with survivors of family and sexual violence to link them with the assistance they need. This assistance can include access to emergency accommodation, protection orders, law and justice interventions, health and welfare referrals, counselling and information on options. In some circumstances, survivors are assisted to return to their home provinces to escape an abusive relationship. If a survivor requires a means of economic support, Femili PNG also sometimes provides a business start-up kit, which is usually items for bilum or soap-making, seeds or poultry, and so forth, depending on the needs and circumstances of the survivor.

From August to October this year, the Bel isi case management centre assisted 102 clients, of which 95 were new cases and 7 were re-opened cases. Since opening its doors in 2018, the Bel isi case management centre has assisted over 1,500 survivors of violence. Most clients who accessed the Bel isi case management centre from August to October were female adults at 88% of total survivors. 87% of clients were presenting because of intimate partner violence. Of the total survivors assisted, 18% identified as living with a disability.

The clients access the Bel isi CMC through several different ways – many are walk-ins by members of the public (28% of clients in August to October) while others are referred from police (27%) or safe houses (7%). Bel isi business subscribers referred 27% of clients in August to October 2022.

When survivors are referred to the Bel isi CMC, Femili PNG’s caseworkers empower them to determine their short and long-term goals and outcomes. Overwhelmingly, most survivors are seeking a protection order. To assist survivors to achieve their outcomes, the caseworkers take a case management approach which involves a series of follow-up consultations with clients, service providers, and sometimes family members. From August to October, Femili PNG caseworkers conducted 1,145 follow-up consultations, an average of 382 per month.

Over the last three months, survivors were assisted to lodge 25 applications for interim protection orders (IPOs), 14 IPOs were granted and 7 issued. Six IPOs were converted into longer-term protection orders. Other outcomes for survivors included 14 police cases registered and investigated, and three perpetrators arrested. Three clients and five child dependents were repatriated back to their home provinces, and three survivors were assisted with business start-up kits.

Where a client is considered at high risk and it is not safe for them to return home, referrals are made to safe emergency accommodation. From August to October 2022, the Bel isi CMC referred 69 individuals (clients and their dependents) to safe accommodation. Over half of these were to the Bel isi safe house. During the same time, the Bel isi safe house supported 49 individuals, ensuring their care and protection.

Femili PNG is pleased to be working as part of the Bel isi PNG Initiative to stop gender-based violence. We are grateful for the support and partnership of OSF, BSP, Steamships, BCFW and NCDC.

For the festive period, Bel isi Case Management Centre will be open on normal working days except on public holidays (26th & 27th December and 02nd January 2023). Subscribers can call 70554401 for assistance.

Business Coalition For Women services provided under the Bel isi PNG partnership are as follows;

• 1-hour Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) staff education sessions;

• FSV Policy and Review;

• 2-day Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) Workplace Contact Team training or refresher training;

• 30-minute post training Management Briefing;

• 3 & 12 months Follow up (and support).

A snapshot of the number of trainings facilitated by BCFW for Bel isi subscribers, as well as feedback from employees of subscribing companies accessing the Bel isi service is provided in the next page.

Trainings and Awareness sessions:

a) Education sessions

Of the 17 subscribers BCFW conducted 5 FSV Education sessions with 5 companies with a total staff reach of 126. These companies are; Buk bilong Pikinini, World Bank, Australia Awards PNG, Australia High Commission and Westpac.

b) 2-day FSV Workplace Contact team training

To date 12 subscribers have FSV workplace Contact points trained.

This year we facilitated 4 FSV WCT trainings with 4 organizations, training 30 FSV Workplace Contact Points. These companies are; TSSP, Air Niugini, Australia Awards PNG and TOTAL Energies.

“We have been rolling out induction awareness around the policy seeing as many staff were not made aware of the group policy. After the awareness, number of disclosures have increased and more staff are accessing the referral support through Bel isi PNG” Female, Workplace Contact Point – Bel isi PNG Subscriber

“We have attended to seven 7 cases so far since implementing the FSV Policy and all have been handled well through Bel isi PNG/ Femili PNG”. Female, Workplace Contact Point – Bel isi PNG Subscriber.

Photo 1: FSV Forum Group Photo- Participants of the 4th Business Coalition For Women FSV Forum. Representatives from the 7 Bel isi subscribing companies were part of this group of likeminded individuals and businesses with the ultimate goal of addressing cyber/online violence and all other forms of violence

‘Bel isi subscribing companies consider policies and procedures to respond to & prevent cyber/online violence’

Bel Isi PNG’s innovation is three-fold, including partnerships, increasing resources through company subscriptions and galvanising leadership to prevent and respond to FSV. Enforcing focus areas 1 & 3, seven (7) Bel isi subscribers, Air Niugini, Nambawan Super Limited, Kina Securities, PNG-Australia Transport Sector Support Program ( (TSSP), Australia Awards PNG, Westpac & BSP Financial Group strengthened their partnerships and forged new ones by attending BCFW’s 4th annual FSV Forum in November. The BCFW FSV Forum provides the platform on which business leaders and the larger private sector push for greater awareness about FSV.

This year, the FSV Forum comprised of a series of events; a panel discussion, booth exhibition and a presentation on the key findings from the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) survey to measure the success of implementing the FSV policy. Themed as Cyber/Online violence, the forum aimed to help FSV Workplace Contact teams (WCT) 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’ and;

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

The main event of the forum was the panel discussion where representatives from the Office of the Public Prosecutor,

National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), Equal Playing Field and Department of Information & Communication Technology shared insights into cyber violence in PNG.

“My key take away is the obvious absence of a coordinated approach and FSV response amongst the GoPNG (government of PNG) responsible enforcement authorities coupled with lack of financial and human resources to effectively and efficiently handle FSV Cyber Security issues” said Jeane Sliviak, Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion Adviser from the PNG- Australia Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP).

“For me, it was an eye opener, as I never realized that cyber or online violence was actually on the rise and was something that can be pursued as a legal matte….I mean we hear stories about people being hacked on their FB accounts or people using other people’s images, but I never knew that we had avenues to report this and that this was a crime’ added Ritchilyn Barrios, Executive Manager Human Resource Services, Air Niugini.

The discussions uncovered that employees sometimes used company issued cell phones, laptops or internet to perpetuate cyber violence and in response, organizations are tightening their workplace procedures, with some taking a step further to develop policies to prevent and respond to cases related to cyber violence.

‘In terms of impact which the forum has had on my role, it would be the inclusion of the FSV Cyber Security elements in the TSSP FSV Prevention and Response Policy during its review exercise in 2023” shared Jean from TSSP.’

“Thanks to the forum I now know that there are forums out there that we can go to for assistance when we have such a situation” said Ritchilyn from Air Niugini.

Through the forum also, Office of the Public Prosecutor, Bel isi subscribing company BSP Financial Group, and the Bel isi case management centre operated by Femili PNG, were able to come to the aid of an FSV survivor’s plight from the Highlands region.

Furthermore, BCFW and International Finance Corporation (IFC) are nearing the completion of the End-line survey with three (3) companies. This survey will help these companies to better understand the impacts of FSV in the workplace, as well as to find out whether there have been changes in the prevalence, impacts, attitudes to and support for staff affected by FSV. The end-line survey is a follow-up to the baseline research completed in 2020 titled ‘Workplace responses to Family & Sexual Violence in PNG: Measuring the Business Case’ Findings of the research will be presented in early 2023.

In March, the mid-term review of Bel isi PNG was completed by independent consultant Ms Jane Kesno and the recommendations to the Steering Committee are now being implemented. The review noted the many achievements of Bel isi PNG to date and commended the role of the private sector in addressing family and sexual violence in PNG.

Early this year the Bel isi Program Manager position became vacant. While recruiting for a suitable candidate was underway, we understand that this had an impact on progress and communication with Bel isi PNG key partners and subscribers. We thank you for your patience during this time. With the recruitment of the new Bel isi PNG Program Manager in August, we were able to pick up the pace and ensure that subscribing companies’ needs were being met.

Some of the other achievements this year include issuing two newsletters in October and this current December issue. In the new year, these newsletters will be issued quarterly via email. Subscribing companies will be asked to provide content as a way of demonstrating how they have been able to address family and sexual violence (FSV) in their organisations.

In November this year, Bel isi PNG and key partners were able to reinstate the global Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) walk in Port Moresby. This activity had ceased due to COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years. With the lifting of the pandemic restrictions, Bel isi PNG and key partners were able to plan and convene the EVAW walk. On the 25th of November, we were able to have members of the private sector, Government of PNG, civil society and the public join us in the Bel isi PNG organised EVAW walk.

Bel isi PNG also hosted a networking event in December in order for company FSV frontliners or contact team members to share experiences. Special guest was Dinah Paki, a Counsellor who talked about the different forms of trauma and the importance of self-care.

We also bid farewell to the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee Co-Chair, Mr Robin Fleming, CEO for BSP. On behalf of Bel isi PNG would like to thank you for your commitment and leadership towards addressing gender-based violence (GBV), specifically family and sexual violence (FSV) within the private sector and throughout PNG as a whole. Congratulations on a long and stellar career with BSP and the positive changes related to FSV that you have implemented at BSP as well as the private sector under your leadership.

As changes happen, it is also worthwhile to note that as the managing partner of the Bel isi PNG program, Oil Search Foundation has changed its name to Santos Foundation. The name change was launched on Tuesday 13 December by Santos CEO, Kevin Gallagher at the APEC Haus.

Bel isi PNG would like to thank its key partners and all the subscribing companies and staff for your partnership and collaboration this year and we look forward to the continued partnership in 2023.

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.