A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support Papua New Guinea athlete Debbie Kaore, who was the victim of a brutal domestic assault last week.
The 30 year old Kaore, who has represented PNG in rugby union and boxing, was headbutted and struck with a hot iron by her partner, Lieutenant Murray Oa, while their children watched.
Debbie Kaore holding off the French defence during the 2019 Sydney Sevens. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
The officer has since been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and is in police custody.
Peter Morrison is a development coach for PNG Boxing.
He started the fundraising page and said the aim was to ensure Debbie had enough money to cover the cost of her medical treatment and to help her and her two children set themselves up somewhere safe and stable to live.
PNG rugby and boxing representative was assaulted by her partner as her children watched on. Photo: Supplied
"I said let's just make a thousand bucks and that's surely going to cover some immediate medical costs over there.
"As of probably about 20 minutes ago [Monday evening] we're up to about four and a half thousand dollars, so that's fantastic," he said.
"We've smashed the quite modest total that I had imagined but the more coverage we get - talking to you and trying to get some influential people in PNG and Australia to share it amongst social media and using that power - happy to keep it running for as long as it needs to and all those funds that trickle in we'll feed up to Debbie and her family."
Morrison said it was important to break the cycle of violence.
"Do we want this cycle to continue or do we want to put a stamp on it right there and then for those kids and get themselves into a safe environment where they can be taught the right ways and have some hopefully positive influence in their lives moving forward, where that's not the norm, and they don't just then repeat that cycle," he said
"So let's get her into a safe spot. There's no doubt she's probably going to have legal costs or there will be some sort of ongoing battle with this."
Morrison, who is also a trek leader on the Kokoda Trail, said domestic violence is an endemic problem in Papua New Guinea and Debbie Kaore was extremely brave to speak out.
PNG boxing coach Peter Morrison with Commonwealth Games boxer Laizani Soma. Photo: Supplied/Madness Photography
"The more that you follow the comment threads on some of the social media around this it just really blows my mind how entrenched that whole culture of domestic violence - that that's [seen as] a solution to male problems against their wives and all sorts of things," he said.
The coach said it was a problem and the more it was out in the open and the more people of influence denouncing it publicly, the better.
"I keep saying if we can save one woman or make one woman or one family safer just by doing it we've had a bit of a win. There's a long way to go but you've got to start somewhere don't you?"
"Initially when I started the GoFundMe page and I had something to say about it I was very reluctant to actually name any names or - those that know know who it is and what's gone on. I just didn't want any repercussions coming back to her or the family - this could be quite sensitive, that kind of thing, but it really exploded and the footage was shared and so I contacted the family again and Debbie was happy for me to name names and what-not."
As of Wednesday morning the GoFundMe page had already raised more than $US5,300.
The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee also held a fundraising drive for Debbie Kaore in Port Moresby on Tuesday, so those who were unable to donate online could still show their support.
