British High Commission continues fight against domestic violence

The British High Commission has for the third year running extended its partnership with the Port Moresby-based women and children crisis centre Haus Ruth.

“The British High Commission is pleased to continue its strategic partnership with Haus Ruth for the third consecutive year. Our financial assistance enables battered women and children to seek refuge in a safe and secure environment where they are housed, fed and provided with legal assistance. It is a fundamental human right for all women and children to be able to live in an abuse free and peaceful environment and seek legal redress,” said David Dunn, British High Commissioner to PNG.

The UK/Haus Ruth partnership complements the decision in August last year by the British High Commission in Port Moresby to join the successful Meri Seif Ples initiative, an anti-violence programme run jointly by various stakeholders for victims of domestic violence.

The High Commissioner said: “Last August we joined many other partners in Port Moresby and opened our doors to women who are victims of domestic violence by making the British High Commission a Meri Seif Ples.  Domestic violence cannot be fixed overnight but we – hand in hand with partners like Haus Ruth and Meri Seif Ples – have taken a stand against it and so must all Papua New Guineans. Domestic violence is completely unacceptable, there are no excuses, it must stop now."

Haus Ruth manageress Monica Richards thanked the British High Commission for extending its assistance.

“Without such sponsorship by the British High Commission, Haus Ruth would not be able to see the year through. Last year a total of 128 women, teenage girls and children were accommodated at the crisis wing. It is good and very satisfying to see that women and children have a safe haven free from violent and abusive homes in which they can share their experiences with others, seek counselling and hopefully begin to rebuild their lives,” she said.

Haus Ruth is an initiative of the interfaith organisation City Mission (PNG). It was established in 2003 and has since its inception assisted hundreds of PNG women and children escape violent environments.