The Australian Government sponsored Solomon Islands Police Development Programme (SIPDP) today hosted a morning tea at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Rove Headquarters during which Police officers from Australia, New Zealand, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force as well as officers from the Australian High Commission and several non-government organisations made pledges to protect women and girls from violence.
The morning tea was organised as part of the SIPDP activities to commemorate the 16 days of activism to protect women and girls from gender-based violence from 25 November to 10 December.
During his speech at the occasion Commander SIPDP, John Tanti says “today we ask you to make a pledge not to remain quiet about gender based violence and do not take these pledges lightly. The donations you make will go towards the Christian Care Centre who provides care for women and children who have been victims of family violence.”
“SIPDP continues to work side by side with the RSIPF to combat family and gender based violence through mentoring of front line responders to ensure they have the tools and capabilities to effectively respond to such violence. We are proud to partner with you on this.”
He adds, “Family violence and gender based violence is an issue that Police forces around the world deal with on a daily basis and we cannot fight this battle alone. We need to ensure we work closely with our stake holders in this field.”
Also at the same occasion, RSIPF Commissioner, Mathew Varley says “RSIPF will continue with the awareness on the Family Protection Act and the people of this country need to embrace this Act.”
“Change has to happen within the individual, family and community. There are cultural pressures but we cannot allow this to prevent us from rejecting gender based violence. We need to stand up and it is time to stand up and say no to violence.”
Commissioner Varley thanked the SIPDP for the great initiative and sisters at the Christian Care Centre for their valuable work and thanked the RSIPF Community Policing team for the great job they have done in holding community outreach meetings to explain the Family Protection Act.