If you’re a survivor of SARV, or you know someone who is, please report the matter as soon as possible. Our coalition of partners is here to support you. We want all survivors of SARV to get justice, find support, and begin healing.
Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) happens when people are blamed, attacked, or harmed because others believe they practice sorcery or witchcraft.
This violence is NEVER acceptable. It is AGAINST THE LAW.
Support for SARV Survivors
The Catholic Diocese of Kundiawa provides spiritual and social support across Simbu Province, focusing on justice and human rights. Partnering with The Voice Inc., they co-established the region’s first SARV Legal Help Desk, offering survivors free legal advice, protection orders, and civil claim support.
The Highlands Women Human Rights Defenders Movement is a coalition from Papua New Guinea’s seven Highlands provinces, combating tribal conflict, gender-based violence, and sorcery-related abuse. They provide legal advocacy, psychosocial support, human rights education, and contribute to policy reform efforts.
The Family Support Centre, led by manager Jean Kupo, provides vital medical and psychosocial care for survivors of family and sexual violence. They offer emergency treatment, trauma counselling, safety planning, and mental health services, addressing daily cases particularly involving girls under 16.
Kup Women for Peace, founded in 2000 and led by Human Rights Defender Angela Apa, works to end tribal violence, gender-based abuse, and sorcery accusation-related violence. They provide crisis support, shelter, repatriation, mediation, legal guidance, and human rights education across the Highlands.
Kundiawa Police actively combat Sorcery Accusation Related Violence through targeted operations that apprehend perpetrators. They collaborate with The Voice Inc. and Catholic Diocese through the SARV Legal Help Desk, providing victims with legal aid, protection orders, and civil law options.
The Community Development Agency in Simbu Province addresses SARV through extensive grassroots networks. They facilitate community-led interventions, awareness campaigns, and referral pathways, working with local leaders, law enforcement, and health providers to promote legal literacy and trauma-informed care.
Free legal support is available in Kundiawa. The SARV Legal Help Desk provides confidential legal advice, assistance with protection orders, civil claims, and referrals to other support services.
Our trained legal advisors are here to help you understand your options and navigate the justice system at no cost.
For confidential legal advice, contact popur@thevoicepng.org or call 7245 1083.
The PNGAus Partnership represents Australia and Papua New Guinea’s commitment to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous PNG. Through this development partnership, both governments prioritise addressing gender-based violence and SARV by supporting grassroots organisations and community-led solutions that strengthen local capacity to create safer communities.
Learn how you can support the Local Leadership & Collective Action Program to end SARV through The Voice Inc’s community-driven programs.