Report finds 60% of women in Papua New Guinea have been abused by their partners

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A warning, this next story contains details of physical and sexual violence. On average, a woman is killed at the hands of her partner every single week in Australia. But our closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, is dealing with even darker statistics. Rates of gender-based violence have more than tripled over the past 40 years, and it's estimated more than $600 million will be needed to turn those rates around.

Transcript

00:00For seven years, Fiona has endured horrific violence at the hands of her partner.

00:07For safety reasons, she's not using her real name.

00:12He keeps weapons nearby, a long machete, rubber hose and belt.

00:17If we don't have sex, he hits me.

00:19If I refuse sex, he hits me.

00:23Poverty and his controlling behaviour trapped her in the relationship.

00:27He would lock the door so I couldn't get out.

00:30My face, my nose would be broken.

00:33But like dozens of other victims, she's found safety at this women's shelter in Port Moresby.

00:38We don't have budget, we don't have resources, but at least we can provide you something.

00:43A PNG government study found reports of gender-based violence have increased by 210% in the past four decades.

00:50And 64% of women experience intimate partner violence, more than double the global average.

00:58The escalation of violence is going like, you know, like 100 steps ahead of us.

01:02I hear many cases every week about gender-based violence.

01:07Those on the front line say services are overwhelmed and lack coordination.

01:12One example is the Family and Sexual Violence Unit, which sits within the PNG police force.

01:18Its annual budget is just $100,000 for the entire country.

01:22PNG's National Cabinet is reviewing a new 10-year strategy aimed at tackling gender-based violence,

01:28which will cost $65 million annually.

01:31Key reforms include bolstering police, building more safe houses, programs for perpetrators

01:37and better coordination of funding.

01:39If we put all the funding together through the GBP secretariat, then they will monitor it

01:46and make sure that it's having impact.

01:48We want the budget to be permanent.

01:51For victims like Fiona, lives are at stake.

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