BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Provincial Secretary of Western Province, Patrick Toiraena, encourages the Western Province SAFENET network to strengthen efforts to prevent gender-based and domestic violence before cases occur.

He made the remarks during the province’s review of the SAFENET referral system, where partners gathered to assess current response mechanisms for survivors.

Toiraena acknowledged that SAFENET partners play a critical role in responding to incidents but stressed that the network’s work should go beyond reaction.

“You are at the end of the issue. Your role is reactive — meaning you take action when the issue has already happened.

“I encourage you to also look at ways to be proactive by trying to stop gender-based and domestic violence in the first place,” he said.

Toiraena said prevention requires a whole-of-society approach, highlighting the importance of strong family values, church involvement and community support.

He said effective systems and structures are key in addressing violence against women and girls, warning that failures within these systems can lead to a build-up of unresolved cases.

“This is a societal issue and collective effort is paramount to address it,” Toiraena said.

The SAFENET referral system review brought together stakeholders from across Western Province to reflect on existing practices and explore improvements to better support survivors while strengthening prevention strategies.

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