Identifying and collating data on violence against women and girls is increasing but evaluating the solutions to minimise gender-based violence (GBV) is lagging. The evaluation gap is more pronounced in low resource settings like Papua New Guinea (PNG).

In 2012, our researchers evaluated an MSF clinic in PNG for survivors of GBV to identify the barriers and enablers of access to services that would ensure long-term safety, protection, and justice for these women and girls. The evaluation concluded that while medical and psychosocial care are first line support, much more was need to reduce GBV in the long-term. The key to achieving the survivor’s goals are effective, accessible, and coordinated services linked to community-based support, referral, and advocacy.

This led to the establishment of FemiliPNG in 2014. FemiliPNG was developed as a crisis support service from a partnership between ANU researchers and PNG staff who saw the problems and found their own solutions at helping the communities. Using initial funds from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, FemiliPNG has grown into a sustaining crisis support service that has helped over 2,600 women and children.