Sexual offenses

The Lae Metropolitan Superintendent commander Anthony Wagambie Junior, who is also the chairman of the Family sexual violence Action committee-Morobe, said sexual offences ranging from child molestation, sexual touching, rape and incest are some of the very serious crimes that sometimes are never properly addressed.

He said this may be due to, relatives or communities agreeing to certain conditions including compensations or out of court settlements, thus resulting in perpetrators walking away without being dealt with accordingly.

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said between 2014 and July 2017, statistics of sexual offences have increased.

Due to the rise in cases, he has raised concerns, especially of those committed against minors and within the family unit.

PPC Yapu said he will be working closely with the Community Development Office, LLG presidents and ward councilors to conduct awareness at their levels to address the issues.

Manus Acting Police Provincial Commander, Senior Inspector David Yapu, revealed this when raising his concerns over the increasing trend.

He is now appealing to the community leaders in the province to speak up about this immoral practise within the family unit following recent reported incidents of young girls being sexually assaulted by male members of their own families.

He is calling on families to work together with police to address these issues.