PNG has one of the world's highest incidence and most severe forms of violence against women.  We are demanding an end to VAW, appropriate police responses to crimes of violence and sexual violence against women and girl and the full accountability of police allegedly involved in perpetrating such crimes.  Please give your support to demand action and justice on the case below.  Innocent people must be released urgently. Police abuse of powers and committing of crimes must be handled according to the law.

Most cases of violence against women, and in particular sexual assault in Papua New Guinea are met with indifference or impunity.  In this case the police are the alleged perpetrators. The Women's human rights defenders are beaten, kicked and detained without charge, bail or a court case. We urgently need international support to force our leaders to ensure justice is done in this case. 

It is alleged

•    The Wewak Police Station Commander (PSC) led a raid in Kawanumbo village, one hour out of Wewak town, the provincial capital of the East Sepik Province around 3 am Sat morning, Dec. 6.  They were reportedly pursuing the father of the victim, who had escaped from prison

•    Police entered the village, and the daughter came out and was met with guns and told to return to her family house.  Her father was hiding under the bed.  He saw that a policeman followed his 18 year old daughter and told her you are hiding your father, so I am going to rape you.  He then tried to rape her

•    Seeing this, the father came out from hiding and attacked the policeman/perpetrator, but was quickly overcome, beaten, slashed and tied up, together with his brothers and his wife.

•    The daughter was by this time outside and asked to go back inside to get some proper clothing. One uniformed policeman followed her and locked the door and raped her. She screamed and called for help, but by that time all of her family members were tied up.  The perpetrator told her that they (the police) had worked hard to recapture her father and now they were finishing off their work by raping her. 

•    Two other policemen followed him and raped her.

•    A fourth man, not in uniform and with his face covered, also raped her. 

•    All alleged rapists reiterated that they were 'finishing off their job” by raping her

•     The rape victim managed to reach Wewak and report case to Women's crisis center, run jointly by the East Sepik council of women and the PNG Family and Sexual Violence Committee.  

•    The Policewoman normally assisting the center was informed of the incident and advised proper protocols be followed, and asked that the case to be brought to her at the police station.

•    The victim's Statement was taken. Medical check up and report organized. Medical report is now available. 

•    Sophie Mangae, President of East Sepik Council of Women and active in giving support to women victim/survivors, and Florence Parinjo of Wewak District Council of women, were in the final days of their public advocacy and programs for the global campaign of 16 Days to end Violence against Women.

•    They accompanied victim and family members to police station to report the case and with a loudhailer, called on the women in the general public and at the nearby market to join their protest against violence against women.

•    The Police Station Commander (PSC) came out of his office, fired shots into the air, claiming he personally led village raid and insisting that no rape committed by police.

•    The PSC then physically assaulted Sophie Mangae, the women's leader and human rights defender, beating and kicking her. He also assaulted accompanying members of victim’s family. The victim managed to get away from the scene quickly. 

•    PSC then ordered police to arrest Sophie Mangae and members of victim’s family, without charge, insisting no bail, and when they demanded their rights under the law, the Police Station Commander told them that they can state what they think human rights are in court on Monday!  Until now, (Wednesday) the case has not come to court.

•    After 3 days Sophie and the family members remain locked up in cell in Wewak. No charge and no bail. 

•    Victim and other members of Wewak Crisis Centre are in hiding because police have stated that they plan to arrest and detain them too.

•    National media has reportedly published the police version of the incident