A suspect has been apprehended by police over the alleged sexual abuse of a six-year-old girl after the issue was brought to the attention of the Police Minister through social media.
The little girl was allegedly abused by a senior member of the family. And though the matter was reported to police at the Gordon’s station by the mother, she was told that due to lack of resources, police were unable to respond.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer said a concerned member of the public, who heard of the family’s situation, then posted on Facebook, where the Minister was mentioned.
“I asked him if he could confirm where the location of the mother is, and the daughter,” said the Minister. “So he was able to find out the next day.”
NCD police were then able to pick up the mother and daughter, as well as the suspect, on June 17th.
“Following the complaint and the person accused being charged, we also organised for the mother and her 6-year-old daughter to be sent to Bel isi, a women’s safe house that was recently set up in partnership with BSP, Oil Search and funded by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia),” explained Kramer.
“We’ve received reports that the mother was being threatened and discouraged from filing a complaint with police.
“When I took office I made it clear that social media will be used as a platform to engage greater with the public and holding greater public accountability on members of the Force, including Members of Parliament.”
Minister Kramer said this was case one, and he will continue working with the Royal PNG Constabulary to make PNG a safer place for especially women and children.
(Police Minister Bryan Kramer with the concerned citizen, left, who posted on Facebook, thus bringing the issue to his attention)