Learn Together, Work Together for Child Protection
KTF advocates for a zero-tolerance approach to violence in all forms, particularly against women and girls. Today, World Children’s Day marks the start of 20 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and violence against children in Papua New Guinea.
This article shares vital information to help teachers, parents and caregivers and everyone interested in protecting children in our worlds.
We learn together, we work together to make a change for tomorrow!
“Violence, including physical, sexual and emotional violence as well as neglect, is a daily reality for most children in Papua New Guinea, making them feel unsafe in their very own homes and communities”
This statement by UNICEF PNG highlights the endemic levels of violence experienced by children in Papua New Guinea. The Unseen, Unsafe report produced by Save the Children in 2019, in collaboration with ChildFund, Plan International and World Vision, estimates that in PNG, 2.8 million children experience violent discipline in the home. In two PNG Provinces surveyed in their study, 70% of children aged 6 to 8 years old reported feeling “scared and in pain” in their community and 27% of parents in these Provinces (who participated in the survey) reported using physical punishment “over and over as hard as they could get”. Sexual violence is also exceptionally high, with Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) reporting that children were the survivors of over 50% of the sexual violence cases referred to their clinics in PNG.
As stated in the Unseen, Unsafe report, drivers of violence in the Pacific region are complex, entrenched and span across generations. It outlines a range of factors that contribute to the high levels of abuse, including;
patriarchal societies with high levels of gender inequality
social acceptance of physical punishment against children
low status in general of children
weak institutional and governance systems
and growing poverty and inequality
Read the full Unseen, Unsafe report here.
No matter what form it comes in, violence has life-long impacts on the physical, cognitive, social and physical development and well-being of the child.
What is violence against children?
Violence against children includes all forms of violence against people under 18 years old, whether perpetrated by parents or other caregivers, peers, romantic partners, or strangers.
What types of violence, abuse and coercion are there?
Family and sexual violence:
Family violence refers to violence or abuse that occurs between immediate and extended family and kinship groups, this can include violent discipline and excessive labour. Sexual violence encompasses sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual coercion and sexual abuse.
Gender-based violence:
The PNG National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) (2016-2025) defines GBV as physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse directed against a person because of his or her gender, including but not limited to acts committed with force, manipulation or coercion and without the informed consent of the survivor, to gain control over them.
Gender-based violence can include intimidation, suffering, coercion, and/or deprivation of liberty within the family, or within the general community. It also includes violence that results from unequal power relations between men and between women (e.g. homophobic violence). GBV may come in many forms including tribal, opportunist, cultural, institutional, and spiritual or sorcery accusatory-related violence.
Domestic violence:
The Family Protection Act defines domestic violence as a man or woman who commits physical assault, psychological or sexual abuse, stalking, behaves in an indecent or offensive manner to a family member, or damages a family member’s property.
Emotional and Psychological Violence:
1. Abuse/Humiliation
Non-sexual verbal abuse that is insulting, degrading, demeaning; compelling the victim/survivor to engage in humiliating acts, whether in public or private; denying basic expenses for family survival.
2. Confinement
Isolating a person from friends/family, restricting movements, deprivation of liberty or obstruction/restriction of the right to free movement.
Economic abuse:
Economic or financial abuse involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and/or forbidding attendance at school or employment.
What rights and protections do children have?
Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015:
The Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015 is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child. It extends protection to all children, including those sexually and physically exploited, children affected by conflicts, children with disabilities, and those infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. It guarantees the protection of rights and respect for the dignity of all children; in particular children in need of protection and children with special needs.
Access the Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015 here.
Papua New Guinea National Strategy to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence 2016-2025:
This comprehensive document outlines gender-based violence in a global context and in Papua New Guinea. It looks at defining gender-based violence and gender concepts, as well as in-depth definitions of sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, it defines PNG’s strategic framework for preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
Read PNG’s complete National Strategy here.
Papua New Guinea Child Health Policy and Plan 2009-2020:
This policy makes several references to domestic violence.
Read the policy here.
KTF is committed to the protection of children from harm, abuse and exploitation. KTF is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that all children and young people with whom we work are provided a child-safe environment at all times.
Click here to read KTF’s Child Protection Policy and see how we do this.
What is the KTF doing?
Project Zero:
KTF’s Project Zero has one goal - to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, especially women and girls. Project Zero envisions for all people to live safely in their homes and communities and for children to grow and develop in safe and secure environments.
Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program, Project Zero focuses on both prevention and response strategies to address violence. The project empowers survivors by providing access to vital support services through KTF’s Safe House. In 2024 to date, KTF has provided safe refuge for 36 children and successfully repatriated 11 children. Project Zero also invests in upskilling service providers and communities, raising awareness, strengthening referral pathways, and fostering localised collaboration. Project Zero works in partnership with a range of government and non-government organisations including the Oro Provincial Government, Femili PNG, Community Development, PNG Counsellors Association and the Family Sexual Violence Unit to create safer communities for everyone.
Sanap Strong:
Sanap Strong - Standing up strong together for a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence, family and sexual violence and child harm in Oro Province. The Sanap Strong project is upskilling key community members to better prevent and respond to violence.
Sanap Strong aims to build up the capacity of local stakeholders, empowering them to collaborate and provide support services for survivors of gender-based violence. This is supported through professional development and upskilling in counselling, strengthening referral pathways, and fostering community empowerment.
Led by KTF, in partnership with the PNG Counsellors Association, project technical support is from the Pacific Community through the Pacific Women Lead at SPC programme, funded by the Australian Government.
Kicks for Kokoda:
This sports for development project aims to empower adolescents, foster health-seeking behaviours, deliver youth-friendly services, promote gender equality, and cultivate a passion for sports. Delivered in partnership with Team Up, PNG Olympic Committee and Grassroot Soccer, Kicks for Kokoda has been delivered across four locations in the Kokoda catchment region to over 1000 adolescents. By providing vital health and gender education, the program equips young people in remote communities to succeed in life and become game changers in their communities.
How can you help?
Engage with Social Media Campaigns: Share, like, and engage with social media campaigns that address gender-based violence, including initiatives like the 20 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Spreading awareness helps amplify the message and mobilise more people toward action.
Start Conversations: Create safe spaces to discuss the impact of violence with family, friends, and community members. Talk about how violence affects individuals and families, and explore actionable steps to prevent it and support those affected. Open conversation is key to breaking cycles of silence and stigma.
Engage with Local GBV Support Organisations: Follow and learn from local GBV support organisations, such as our Project Zero partners, FemiliPNG. These organisations are a great resource for information and provide essential services.
Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the rights and protections available for children and survivors of violence. Share information from key resources such as PNG’s Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015 and other relevant child protection policies. Awareness empowers individuals and communities to act.
Stand with Survivors: Actively support survivors when they speak up by listening without judgement, respecting their courage, and guiding them toward trusted support services. Your support can make a world of difference in their journey toward safety and healing.
By learning together and working together we can make a change for tomorrow in which children are free from violence and fear. KTF is committed to a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.