BCFW Update: 2 Day FSV Workplace Contact Team training
Swire Shipping & Pure Water were amongst the 80 BCFW member companies who attended the FSV Forum frontliners of the FSV referral pathway.
This year, BCFW successfully conducted six Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) Workplace Contact Team trainings, with Westpac, Buk bilong Pikinini, BSP Financial Group Limited, Steamships, Australia High Commission, and Exxon Mobil. The training sessions engaged a total of 58 FSV Workplace Contact Points comprising 41 female and 17 male staff.
“Dealing with FSV is sensitive both at home and in workplaces for employees. Companies having the FSV policy will benefit both employees and employers. I say this because I have noticed some of our female frontline workers (tellers) are afraid to come to work. After all, they had black eyes. With the knowledge and skills gained through this training, we can respond appropriately and sensitively to support our staff experiencing FSV at the workplace.” Male Participant Westpac.
“This was good sensitization training. My takeaway from this training is to be more patient and non-judgmental when supporting staff whether they identify as victims/survivors or perpetrators. I would also like to network better with the support teams internally to implement the FSV policy.” BSP Female participant.
Events and highlights:
• BCFW/IFC launched the report for the research Measuring the Business Case for Bel isi PNG in September. The full report can be accessed on the IFC website through this link: https://www.ifc.org/en/types/insights-reports/2023/family-sexual-violence-png
• BCFW hosted its annual FSV Forum on the 23rd of November at the University of Papua New Guinea at the New Lecture Theatre.
BCFW FSV Forum
The BCFW FSV Forum coincided with the 20 Days of Human Rights Activism, global campaign aimed at raising awareness and advocating against different forms of violence which women are subjected to.
The focus of the forum this year was about acknowledging the work of our frontline workers in the FSV referral pathway as well as to enable the businesses in the private sector to establish contacts with FSV service providers and build a rapport.
The program for the day included keynote speeches featuring the Chair of the GBV Parliamentary Committee and Governor for NCDC, Honorable Powes Parkop. He discussed the Special Parliamentary Committee's connection with the Family and Sexual Violence Referral Pathway, shedding light on its objectives. Following this, Ed Weggemans, the Managing Director of SP Brewery and PNGBCFW Board Representative, provided insights from the private sector.
Other guest speakers included the Family Support Center, offering an overview of medical support for survivors; the Public Prosecutor, Bel is PNG case management center (Femili PNG) on the role of courts.
Additional topics covered by various speakers encompassed effective case management, hotline support, recognition of human trafficking, and counseling services.
The program involved Q&A session from the private sector workplace contact teams. FSV Service Providers also held information booths where they could share insights about their organizations and the services they offer to survivors of FSV, providing participants with the opportunity to visit these booths.