Gender violence in PNG at 'shocking levels'

An aid group working in Papua New Guinea says the high levels of violence against women and children in the country make it unsuitable for asylum seekers to be sent there.

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In a new report, ChildFund Australia has found that children younger than 16 represent half the people who seek medical help after being raped in PNG.

It says women are raped, killed and maimed in a brutal way which often involves bush knives, axes, burning, spearing and even biting.

Chief executive Nigel Spence, says PNG does not have enough national programs that can help tackle the widespread violence.

And Mr Spence says resettling asylum seekers on the poor country is unfair.

"It's proposing to resettle people in an evironment where already it's clear that the government is struggling to provide even the most basic services and the most basic protections," says Mr Spence.

"And I think it's an unfair additional burden for the Papua New Guinea government even with help from Australia to find ways to safely and adequately resettle asylum seekers when at the moment basic services and protection rights are not bring upheld for it's own citizens."


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Source: SBS Radio


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