Facing the System: Why Survivors Queue at Police Stations
In parts of Papua New Guinea, survivors of domestic abuse describe a daunting reality: reporting abuse often means arriving at a police station—sometimes after hours of walking or waiting—only to find a process that feels distant from their immediate needs. For many women and men who seek safety, the journey begins long before they reach the station doors, shaped by fear, stigma, and a lack of reliable support.
Barriers to Access: Beyond the Initial Report
Stories from Port Moresby and other centers illuminate a pattern: cumbersome procedures, limited female-friendly spaces, and slow responses. Some survivors must queue in front of stations to register complaints, sometimes waiting in crowded lines where privacy is scarce. In volatile moments, the fear of reprisal from abusive partners can be compounded by concerns about family reputation, financial dependence, and the absence of safe shelters.
Financial and Geographic Hurdles
Many survivors live in informal settlements or rural towns with few local authorities trained to handle domestic violence cases. Travel costs, childcare, and work obligations can push reporting further down the priority list, or out of reach altogether. When police stations are perceived as unwelcoming or unsafe, the likelihood of seeking help diminishes, leaving survivors at risk.
Perceived and Real Gaps in Support
Advocates point to gaps in crisis counseling, legal aid, and rapid protection orders. While some districts have dedicated domestic violence units, others operate with limited staff and resources. Survivors repeatedly emphasize the need for confidential reporting spaces, consistent case management, and clear timelines for action, which can help rebuild trust in the system.
The Human Cost: Voices from the Ground
Fiona, a pseudonym for safety, recalls a harrowing experience of displacement after a violent incident. Stories like hers are not isolated. They reveal a pattern where survivors, despite the danger, must negotiate a complex system while trying to protect their children and their own physical safety. Officials and workers in several NGOs argue that empowering survivors starts with accessible, dignified reporting environments and immediate safety planning.
What Is Being Done: Reforms and Community Initiatives
In response to mounting pressure, some local governments and non-governmental organizations are piloting community-based reporting centers and mobile advocacy units. Training for police on gender-based violence, trauma-informed interviewing, and child protection is expanding in certain regions. There is also a push for streamlined processes—like one-stop centers where survivors can access legal aid, medical care, and shelter referrals in a single visit.
What Survivors Need Now
Experts and activists outline a practical roadmap: secure and private spaces at police stations, reliable referral networks, and faster case progression. Emergency shelter options, financial assistance programs, and legal aid are critical to ensure that reporting leads to real protection. Community awareness campaigns can reduce stigma and encourage more survivors to seek help without fear of judgment or retaliation.
Looking Forward: A Safer Path for Families
The challenge in Papua New Guinea is not only to encourage reporting but to transform the reporting experience into a reliable, survivor-centered process. When survivors can access help quickly and confidentially, with clear steps and visible protections, the cycle of abuse has a real chance to break. Progress will require sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and voices from survivors guiding policy and practice.
