ChildFund has joined other child-focused aid agencies to form an alliance aimed at increasing the protection available to vulnerable children in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Pikinini Defenders Alliance, launched in September 2019, is a network of organisations committed to mobilising support, advocating, and raising awareness to stop violence against children in Papua New Guinea.

It is calling on the PNG Government to commit to greater and more sustainable investments to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against children in PNG, including 300 new child protection officers to boost the country’s under-resourced child protection workforce.

Alarmingly, it is estimated that 75% of children and young people in PNG experience violence during their childhood.

At ChildFund, we believe that every child has the right to be nurtured, protected and experience a childhood free from violence.

Evidence shows that children who are victims of abuse, or who have witnessed violence, often suffer severe psychological trauma which can have devastating consequences on their physical, social and emotional health and development.

The Pikinini Defenders Alliance has acknowledged initatives by the PNG Government to end violence against children, including the passage of the 2015 Lukaitim Pikinini Act.

It is hoped the Act will result in significant improvements to the protection and promotion of the rights of all children in PNG.

However, the Alliance has stated that implementation of the Act must be a government priority, and needs to be adequately resourced if real and sustainable changes are to be achieved.

At the launch of the Act, the PNG Government committed to the recruitment, training and deployment of 300 new child protection officers and volunteers.

The Pikinini Defenders Alliance is now calling on the PNG Government to uphold this promise by Universal Children’s Day on 20 November 2019, and encourages the training of teachers, health workers and faith leaders across all local-level government in PNG.

The Alliance states: “Every little Papua New Guinean has the right to a life without violence.

“It is time to make child protection our first priority. Children in PNG need more Pikinini Defenders.”

Members of the Pikinini Defenders Alliance, including ChildFund, will continue to work with government stakeholders, communities, young people and children towards a PNG that is free of violence against children.

Australians are urged to support the Pikinini Defenders Alliance by signing a petition which will be delivered to Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to Australia.

The Pikinini Defenders Alliance members include Cheshire Disability Services PNG, ChildFund, Equal Playing Field, PNG Council of Churches, PNG Tribal Foundation, Save the Children, UNICEF, and World Vision.

Regina* is 17 years old. She called the helpline to seek help in escaping ongoing sexual abuse.

Both Regina’s parents are deceased. She lives with her married older sister, who struggles to make ends meet for her own children – let alone Regina.

Regina grew up in poverty after her father died. She felt like an outcast at school because her mother could not afford to buy new clothes, shoes or books, or pay for her bus fare to school.

She became isolated from her peers and developed very low self-esteem.

Regina first faced sexual abuse when she was just 14. She was lured to a hotel room by a man from her community. Regina reports the man is in his 50s. Since then, she has experienced regular abuse.

Initial discussions

My first conversation with Regina was an invitation. I asked if she would feel comfortable to talk to me about what she was going through.

Regina began to explain her situation and her feelings. She cried as she told me about all the hurt she had been feeling for years.

The abuse had already affected Regina’s academic performance, and she had also lost her appetite and a lot of weight.

I identified that Regina was experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

I explained how she could report the abuse to the police and confide in her sister so she could get protection and escape the situation.

I also encouraged her to change her phone number and stop communicating with the perpetrator.

Follow-up support

I made follow up calls every week to support Regina and check on her progress.

Once she was free from her abuser, I helped her to deal with the emotional impact of the abuse.

I helped her to see ways she could feel confident again, how to think about a brighter future and to focus on school and finishing her education.

Talking to students

Regina learned about the helpline when we visited her school to educate students about physical and sexual violence.

We make school visits to raise awareness about the helpline, and help put an end to violence against children.

Our visit empowered Regina to fight back and take control of her situation. Until then, she could not see an alternative to her abusive situation.

Regina’s future

Counselling has helped Regina feel more psychologically and emotionally stable. She has been able to understand her self-worth and has escaped her abuser.

Overall, she has recovered emotionally, is more confident, and has regained some control over her life.

Finally, Regina now feels mentally prepared for school, and knows that she can pursue her dreams and look forward to a brighter future.

* Name has been changed to protect the child’s identity.