“Speaking from Auki, Anthony Maelasi from the Anglican Diocese of Malaita says caretaker of the Center, Sister Doreen Awaiasi has decided to close the center indefinitely because of over-crowding and more-so because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Maelasi said Malaita Care Center continued to receive an influx of domestic violence victims as well as child abuse cases.
“He said currently with the COVID-19 pandemic, Sister Doreen has decided not to open its doors to new clients.
“The center continues to see an increase of victims from both family violence and child abuse cases. Currently the center is quite full and there is nothing much Sister Doreen and her team can do to alleviate the problem”, Maelasi said.
“He said when the country is in a stage of emergency and there is a threat of COVID-19 looming, Sister Doreen is concerned about the safety of her clients.
“There is a women’s resource center in Auki but it is only for women who are victims of domestic violence. But women can only spend one night at the center should they come across any domestic issue”, Maelasi said.
“He encourages Malaitans to look after their family well at this time.
“With the closure of Malaita Care Center, women and children who are victims of violence and abuse will not be able to access the services they need to help them through their trauma.
“The Malaita Care Center is an arm of the Christian Care Center on Guadalcanal.
It is being looked after by the Sisters of the Anglican Church of Melanesia.”
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