Frontline workers across Papua New Guinea continue to play a critical role in responding to family and sexual violence, often regularly exposed to high levels of trauma, emotional fatigue and the ongoing demands of delivering essential services in often resource‑constrained environments.
Australia is supporting Papua New Guinea’s efforts to strengthen a professional, trauma informed frontline workforce through training. Frontline workers including safe house managers, counsellors, police officers, church‑based service providers and Family Support Centre staff gathered in Port Moresby to take part in a 3-day specialised training on vicarious trauma and wellbeing.
Senior Program Manager for the National Gender Based Violence Secretariat, Marcia Kalinoe on behalf of the Department for Community Development and Religion emphasised the critical role of frontline workers.
“Frontline workers are the backbone of Papua New Guinea’s response to family and sexual violence. Strengthening their wellbeing is essential to sustaining quality services across the country”, Ms Kalinoe said.
“This training directly supports our national commitment to building a safer, more trauma-informed system for survivors and the workforce that serves them.”
The Cairnmillar Institute clinical psychologists, Dr Renzo Vittorino and Dr Archana Kaur, who facilitated the 3-day program, emphasised the importance of equipping staff with practical strategies to manage the emotional demands of their roles.
“Vicarious trauma is real, and it is manageable. With the right tools, supervision and systems, frontline workers can maintain their wellbeing while continuing their vital work.” Dr Vittorino said.
The training, delivered through the PNG Women Lead Program, is funded through the PNG-Australia partnership. Australia continues to support PNG efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls across PNG, which benefits everyone.
ENDS
Participants at the training included safe house managers, counsellors, police officers, church‑based service providers and Family Support Centre staff.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100