SEXUAL ABUSE AT EVACUATION CENTRES RAISE CONCERNS

People at the SINU Pavilion after the flash floods. Photo credit: BBC.

The Family Support Centre has expressed concern over the risks of sexual abuse and violence for women, girls and children currently living at Evacuation Centers in Honiara.

F-S-C Community Educator Hendrick Barai told SIBC News the lack of proper facilities, sanitation and other basic needs poses risks for sexual abuse and violence.

Mr Barai said the Family Support Centre is concerned after receiving reports on incidences of sexual abuse and violence at some of the Evacuation Centers.

“We know that at such evacuation centres, things like sanitation and others are not done in a proper way and this gives women and children greater risk to such forms of abuse. And we are hearing reports of such cases coming from the evacuation centres that incidents of sexual abuses are happening. We want the responsible authorities to do something about them.”

SIBC News understands the Family Support Centre is providing information materials about sexual abuse and violence to people living at the evacuation centers.