Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation safe house staff and volunteers attended SARV training.

Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation safe house staff, volunteers and Sr. Arnolda, Facilitator from Melanesian Institute.

On July 30^th to August 1^st 2025, the Melanesian Institute hosted a Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) training at Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation (NCFR) at Chabai, Selau district in Bougainville. The training was focused on equipping safe house staffs and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide trauma-informed, inclusive care to SARV survivors and to advocate effectively for prevention and justice. It emphasized the theme of the SARV training which was “From fear to understanding: Equipping hearts and hands to respond to SARV with compassion, courage and justice.” There were total of 35 participants that involved NCFR’s safe house staffs and House Bilong Stretim Tingting na Pasin (HSTP) staffs, SARV survivors, members of the Congregation of the sisters of Nazareth, CSC priest and brother and amongst the participants there were 6 individuals that identified as person with disability. The training was facilitated by Sr. Arnolda from the Melanesian Institute.

Through the collaboration with Catholic safe houses throughout Papua New Guinea, the Melanesian Institution has strengthened the capacity of staff and volunteers to respond effectively to SARV cases. The training created an inspiring atmosphere that gave SARV survivors that attended the training the strength and courage to share their personal experience on being a victim of SARV. The safe house staffs felt encouraged and empowered by the information that was given to them and it has inspired them to continue to be the frontliners to advocating for justice for SARV cases. Sr. Arnolda, facilitator stressed to participants, “Be critical in your thinking, do not just look on the surface of the issues”. Sr Lorraine added “Churches needs to step up and begin dealing with these SARV cases and issues by educating the people on the pastoral approach on sorcery to prevent more people from being falsely accused.”

The participants discovered aspects behind the SARV cases and issues such as land disputes, leadership issues, wealth and jealousy. The training focused on understanding the root causes and beliefs of SARV cases and issues detailing the methodology on how to find the root cause and analyze the beliefs of SARV within their communities. A healthcare officer Cecelia, a guest speaker shared insights from the medical perspective “When a person dies, we always assume it is sorcery without considering how that person lived his/her life, that person could have had lung cancer from smoking or could had stomach ulcer from drinking alcohol at a very young age.” She also stressed that people must request medical reports from the hospital whenever a relative of theirs dies so that whenever rumors of sorcery arise, they have a medical report that clearly explains why that person died or why that person was sick.

The training also explored the psychological and social impact on survivors that emphasized on the trauma/mental health of survivors of SARV. Also discussed was the Law and Right-based response, that included the three main ways of approaching SARV cases or issues. The Law approach which made clear the Glassman/Meri Act, the cultural approach and the pastoral approach that focuses on the mercy and forgiveness approach. Sr. Arnolda also emphasized “remember that mercy, forgiveness and justice go hand in hand when responding to SARV cases. We cannot have mercy and forgiveness without justice.” Lastly the strategies for education and prevention: safe house practice and way forward was discussed that led to participants creating a referral pathway for NCFR with the help of the SARV survivors present on the training.

Collaborative efforts displayed by the Catholic Safe houses in bringing the Melanesian Institution to facilitate the SARV training to NCFR safe house staffs and volunteers, has strengthen bonds which demonstrated true partnership. The training has effectively equipped and empowered NCFR’s safe house staffs and HSTP staffs with the knowledge, skills and confidences to continue to be the front-liners defending the victims of SARV cases in Bougainville. With the establishment of safe houses in South, Central and North Regions, with that survivors have greater access in terms of their protection, support and counseling, that will help them overcome trauma and mental health.

Participants of the SARV training.