20/08/2012 16:54
The Community Education Awareness and Advocacy Team carried out five awareness programs in May and June. Three programs were in the communities including the women groups of ‘Isileli, Hala’ovave and Vaololoa, one with the Principals of Tongatapu Primary Schools and Tapuni Siliva College.
The program with the Women Groups, they were very happy. Majority of them said, that this is the first time for them to know the works and the services provided by the Centre, “I’m very happy to learn about the Centre and I’m thankful of the vital work that they do. We are fortunate to hear there is a place we can run to for your safety, especially women, wives and girls whom are seriously and severely abused in any form and therefore find their lives at risks. Thank you so much for the important work that you are doing”, said one of the participants.
At the principals meeting, they were surprised at the Centre’s statistics. Their concern was for the increase rate of sexual abuse especially children. Although it is known that while a few cases are reported but there are some are still swept under the carpet and are not reported.
The principals agreed that the Ministry of Education should work more closely with the Centre in trying to address this issue. They also concern about child neglected which also a contributing factor to child abuse. These neglected children are vulnerable to other forms of violence and abuse. The Centre acknowledges the Ministry of Education for inviting the Centre to be part of the meeting.
At Tapuni Siliva College, the principal was thankful for the program and reminded the staff and students that abuse and violence are not acceptable at school. One of the male staff said, “we will try to change our mind set for we have been brought up with the belief that corporal punishment is a way of discipline method and we practice it, even though we know for sure is illegal, but with the information we gained this morning, it really open our eyes to look at it from a different perspective. We will try to stop it with regards to disciplinary methods and strategies in order to create and promote our school a free violence environment.
The Centre’s Male Advocate, Mr. ‘Usaia Hemaloto also displayed a booth with the Centre’s awareness resources at the Maamaloa Ground during the FWC’s Annual Conference. Centre’s flyers, statistics and other resources including 10 Rules for Safety were made available for the people and students to be aware of the Centre and its services.
Awareness Program also carried out at three schools includes Takuilau College at Lapaha, Tonga High School and Nukunuku Middle School in the month of July.
Takuilau Prinicipal thank the Centre for the good work they are doing and requested that the staff from the Centre to visit the school again for similar programs in the future.
At Tonga High School, during the program, some questions were asked especially on sexual harassment. We talked about how some students take it as jokes but are not. Also letting them know how to react in order to stop this behavior that some men and boys believe is normal.
The Head Tutor acknowledges the Centre’s work in trying to eliminate all forms of violence against women and children, “thank you very for the hard works you are doing, I know it must be very hard for you, but nowadays, there’s a lot of problems and they are increasing at a very alarming rate, thank you for helping out and reaching out to these people.”
At Tupou High School Nukunuku, the principal was so thankful of the program, “thank you for helping and assisting us teachers, looking after the students lives is a hard job and we cannot do it alone. We need to work together hand in hand with relevant stakeholders, thank you very much”, she said.
