By Loretta B Manele
At all platforms that we represent today we must unite to break the silence and to break the cycle of violence, abuse and out of custodial limits.
Jerolie Navala Belabule, Seif Ples Deputy Center Manager voiced this at the Solomon Islands Women in Nius Network (SIWINN) Breakfast Event at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.
She said as we reflect on the 16 days activism programme, we must be reminded that there is still work to be done.
“We must be united to foster behaviour change to prevent violence and engage more actors for service delivery, especially to eliminate gender-based violence at our platforms”
Belabule also took the opportunity to talk about Seif Ples.
She said it is an initiative of the Solomon Islands government to offer coordination and comprehensive care to victims and survivors of gender-based violence in Solomon Islands.
Belabule pointed out that for such times like this, there is still lack of care for women and girls in Solomon Islands.
She added that gender-based violence led to profound and lasting physical and mental health impacts on women, girls and children and there was an alarming rate of victims and survivors that admitted at Seif Ples for the last year and months.
Belabule said Seif Ples has faced a lot of challenges such as resources, limited space at the centre and no 24-hour security service.
In regards to resources the challenge is having resources to sustain the comprehensive care mandated under the family protection law, which is to provide protection and safety for victims of domestic violence.
Belabule said there is also limited space at the center to accommodate victims who on average come in and out of Seif Ples within 24 hours given that the building is very small and there are only 9 rooms to accommodate clients every time.
Another challenge at the center is not having 24-hour security services making them vulnerable to perpetrators.
Belabule said Seif Ples has been supported by donor partners, UN women, the Australian government, New Zealand government and was housed by the Ministry of Police since the canter’s establishment in 2013.
She stated that they provide equitable services to the public such as accommodation, food and clothing, medical first aid and also coordinate the safety and preferential medical via the 132 helpline, toll free to maintain services and the service is open 24 hours a day and is free for the public.
Belabule said under the referral safety net pathway, they coordinate clients or victims to other service providers that provide counselling and legal services that are based on their clients’ needs.
She emphasized that it’s a big challenge in all service providers, the pathway to seek justice for victims, but she strongly believes that by working together and that we can serve more justice for the victims of gender-based violence.
“We are committed to fulfil our obligation and mandate under the Family Protection Act to ensure there is protection and safety for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and to build a future for Solomon Island that is free from sexual and gender-based violence”
