With an increase recorded in the cases of domestic violence in the Western Provincial capital of Gizo over the past two months, police in the Province have called for a fight against this crime that is affecting women and children in the province.
Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Chief Superintendent, Mathias Lenialu says, “Statistics recorded by my officers for Gizo town alone reveal that during December 2017, ten (10) cases of domestic violence were reported while in January 2018, fourteen (14) cases were recorded. Any increase in such crime as domestic violence though small is one case too many. This should be of great concern to all stakeholders.”
“For our part as a stakeholder, police in the Western Province is increasing its efforts in conducting awareness talks in as many communities and public locations as possible about the detrimental effects of family violence on our women and children. We are also continuing to explain the Family Protection Act and how the Act can be used to protect the victim survivor of domestic violence,” says PPC Lenialu.
He adds: “I want to appeal to everyone, including other stakeholders like non-government organisations, churches and community leaders to join forces with the police and fight against this terrible crime. Anyone found breaching the Family Protection Act will be dealt with accordingly.”