Femili PNG Goroka Outpost: 2024-25 Update

Femili PNG’s Goroka Outpost provides survivor-centred case management, offering free and accessible support tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Trained caseworkers assist survivors in accessing medical care, finding safe accommodation, obtaining legal protection, filing police reports, seeking child welfare interventions, and more. By working closely with survivors, caseworkers guide them through the complex care and justice systems, advocate for their rights, and coordinate with relevant service providers. This approach empowers survivors to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being, ensuring they receive the comprehensive support needed to rebuild their lives. In 2025-25 the Goroka Outpost assisted 168 survivors. This is an increase of approximately 35.5 percent from 2023-24. A new caseworker joined the Goroka Outpost in May 2025 to support with the caseload.

Goroka is shaped by various cultural, social, and economic factors that contribute to a unique landscape of violence. The Goroka Outpost frequently handles complex cases, such as supporting survivors of SARV. In 2024-25 around 28 percent of cases were related to SARV. These SARV cases are particularly challenging as they often involve multiple people or entire communities targeting a single family. This complexity overwhelms the police as they do not have the resources to handle cases with numerous people, leading to significant delays and difficulties in case resolution.

It is important for service providers to collaborate to address complex cases to ensure that survivors receive the comprehensive support they need. Femili PNG services vary from person to person, each Case Management Centre (CMC) can bring together a range of stakeholders to hold case conferences for clients with challenging or complex cases. In 2024-25, the Goroka Outpost facilitated two case conferences.

Safety is a primary concern for survivors, especially those at risk of further violence. For survivors who cannot safely remain in their communities. In 2024-25, 64 survivors from the Goroka Outpost were referred to safe accommodation.

Femili PNG provides support to safe houses to enhance the safety and functionality of emergency accommodation for survivors of FSV and SARV. In the Eastern Highlands Province it was identified that the location of a particular safe house was no longer viable. In 2024-25 the Goroka Outpost supported the construction of a safe house in a suitable location. The construction materials were purchased through the Seif Haus Project. The Seif Haus Project was funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Canberra. This project also supported the purchase of materials for safe houses in Lae and Port Moresby.

Femili PNG’s work in Goroka goes beyond individual support to include community engagement and education, which are essential for creating an environment where survivors are safe and supported. By facilitating community dialogue and providing training on the rights and protections available to survivors, Femili PNG aims to shift attitudes and behaviours, fostering a culture of non-violence and mutual respect.

Through the Strength in Partnership Program funded by the World Gold Council, the Goroka Outpost Outreach Officer empowers communities in three districts in the Eastern Highland Province to form district gender based violence (GBV) action committees. This includes supporting community leaders to raise awareness and support activities to address GBV and SARV. These community leaders have hosted awareness raising events and celebrations including International Women’s Day and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Through a range of engagements focused on providing information about FPNG services and basic information about related laws, the Goroka Outpost reached 12,157 people. This is approximately a 117 percent more people reached than 2023-24.

An essential part of project management is to assess project activities. Robust evaluations are an essential tool for promoting continuous improvement and ensuring we adapt our approaches to achieve effective outcomes.

In 2022, FemiliPNG conducted a preliminary evaluation of the Goroka Outpost. In 2024-25, FemiliPNG Australia commissioned an independent evaluation of the operations of the Femili PNG Goroka Outpost project (1 February 2021 to 31 January 2025). PNG based evaluator, Bessie Maruia, led the evaluation with FemiliPNG Australia providing ongoing support throughout the process. Bessie is a highly accomplished gender and development specialist with over 15 years of experience advancing gender equality, social inclusion and violence prevention across PNG.

The evaluation included perspectives from Femili PNG management, staff, volunteers, other service providers in Goroka and service users. Bessie shared her findings recommendations for future improvements, with Femili PNG and FemiliPNG Australia. The findings will be made publicly available at a later date.