The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) brought together stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Family Protection Act passed by the National Parliament in 2014, from civil society and across the public sector, for a workshop on 13 October 2015 in Honiara to prepare for when the Act takes effect.
The stakeholders who attended the consultation workshop included representatives of the RSIPF; Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs; Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services; Ministry of Women, Children, Youth and Family Affairs; Ministry of Health and Medical Services; the Department of Public Prosecutions; the Public Solicitors’ Office; the Magistrates Court; the Family Support Centre, Seif Ples and the Christian Care Centre.
The workshop was held at the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) base at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort in Henderson, Honiara.
During the workshop the various stakeholders discussed the progress made so far in the preparations for the commencement of the Act.
The RSIPF informed the workshop that it had finalised the development of its training program that will be delivered to all RSIPF officers outlining their duties and responsibilities under the Act. The rollout of this training will commence shortly, starting with ‘train the trainer’ courses. The RSIPF and Ministry of Police also discussed the other logistical, administrative and legal challenges that will arise through the carrying out of their duties under the Act.
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs informed stakeholders that it had commenced the required training of 300 Local Court Justices and Local Court Clerks about their obligations and duties under the Act. Training had been conducted so far in Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Renbel and Temotu Provinces, with training in the other provinces scheduled for the rest this year and early next year. The Ministry is also responsible for the training of staff, Magistrates and Judges in the various Courts on the provisions of the Act as well as setting up processes and procedures required under the Family Protection Act.
At the same time the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs updated the workshop on work that has commenced on the establishment of the Advisory Council, an accreditation system for councillors and the creation and distribution of a register of accredited counsellors. The Ministry told other stakeholders that it also planned to use the 16 Days of Activism, beginning in late November, as an opportunity to raise awareness of the Family Protection Act.
A representative of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services updated the meeting on work that has started in Honiara and Guadalcanal on the training and establishment of processes relating to their legal obligations under the Act. This involves mandatory reporting obligations in relation to children as well as mandatory provision of information and options for adult clients.
Following these discussions the participants at the workshop agreed that it was very important they ensure there is ongoing coordination between relevant government Ministries and other stakeholders. They agreed to meet once a month to review their progress in order to gazette the Family Protection Act as soon as possible.
Issued by Police Media