Papua New Guinea’s struggle with domestic and sexual violence
Papua New Guinea has some of the highest rates of family and sexual violence in the world outside a conflict zone.
Ume Wainetti, National Coordinator of the Papua New Guinea Family and Sexual Violence Committee (FSVAC) said:
“In Papua New Guinea, violence towards women seems to be the norm. It is a daily occurrence and it is accepted, for instance, that husbands can discipline wives by beating them up. Most sexual violations are not even reported because women are scared of the repercussions.”
The country has passed a Family Protection Act which makes family violence a punishable crime. Despite this, due to a lack of access to courts and police and a lack of education about family violence, few perpetrators are brought to justice.
