Cases of sexual assault have become prevalent in society despite children being entitled to safety in their own homes.
In most cases, it’s the breach of trust between known persons who perpetrate such crimes against children.
A man from East Sepik Province admitted before the Waigani National Court on Monday to sexually touching his niece at the family home in Port Moresby.
The 28-year-old was sentenced to six years in prison today.
He admitted to two counts of sexually touching his six-year-old niece in June of 2015. He is the first cousin of the victim’s father.
Presiding judge Justice Panuel Mogish said his plea prevented the victim coming to court to relive the ordeal in a trial.
As a result of the plea, trial was not conducted, thus also saving the court’s time.
The man was 26 years old at the time of the offence.
He sexually touched the victim’s genitals, who was 20 years younger than him, on two different occasions.
As a result, she suffered pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the organs of a woman's reproductive system, according to medical reports before the court.
He spent 2 years, three weeks and five days in custody at Bomana prior to admitting the crime in court on Monday.
The court sentenced him to six years in prison. Time spent in custody will be deducted.
He will spend a remaining 1 year and 6 months in custody.
The court further ordered that remaining time to be suspended and placed him on two years’ good behaviour bond.