Lack of trauma counselling in Solomons perpetuating violence

Transcript

SISTER DOREEN: I know a lot of women, I know they still have the fear inside them because of what they have experienced in the past and even though when RAMSI was still here, violence is still high, so in terms of peace between families I know the churches will be able to help address the issue. Because I think in Honiara the majority of people are living back in rural areas. And whether or not the government and the church has done a lot of work with the victim. Because I think most of the time in terms of reconciliation, chupu [traditional reconciliation ceremony], you know we tend to forget the victims. And especially if a child is watching while something is happening, violent activity is happening and sometime we tend to forget them. They are spectators and the importance of being able to do groundwork in terms of counselling is also important. Because they grew up and if the anger is still there they continue with the violent attitude.

KOROI HAWKINS: What kind of things did people go through in the tensions? People a lot of people outside of Solomon Islands heard that its people died were displaced but what kind of activities would children that you mentioned have been witness to. That they’re being told or that the government is trying to tell people to forget and forgive and move on from?

SD: I think if I may say that during the tensions, a lot of the children are grown ups now and I wonder if anybody has been through counselling with them and there are activities that they have seen something, they have witnessed a real violence happening. Even domestic violence is also an issue for children if you don’t deal with them they carry that anger with them. So this kind of activity violence in the home, violence in the street. You know children are watching and these are the people that we tend to forget to address the issue to address them. To be able to have a place where they can be able to share their fears. Because I think for people in Honiara where RAMSI it is situated it is you know good. But then most of the perpetrators are back in the rural areas.

KH: Living with their victims sometimes.

SD: Yes and the victims are ...(inaudible)...Some of the perpetrators they are supposed to be in prison you know behind locked doors but it is not possible because some of them are still hiding. So once RAMSI left I don't know what is going to happen.

KH: And have you worked with anyone in this situation and.

SD: I would say even physical abuse children who have seen relatives who have been shot by militants. Girls who have been sexually abused by perpetrators I talked to a lot of children who have been through a lot and some of them are already married but the fear is still there.