PNG police aghast parents have stopped rape charge

Wednesday, 10 May 2006, 8:23 pm
Press Release: Radio New Zealand International

PNG police aghast that parents have stopped action over rape of daughter

Papua New Guinea police say the parents of a six-year-old girl allegedly raped by a 28-year-old relative in a Highlands village have hindered police from laying charges saying it is a family matter.

On April 14th, a six-year-old girl from a remote village in the Wapenamanda district of Enga Province, was allegedly raped in her own home by a relative before neighbours responded to her cries.

The local police commander, Inspector Martin Kelie, says the alleged rapist escaped, leaving the girl bleeding and traumatised.

Police are angry that the girl’s parents have stopped officers and the courts from carrying out their duties.

Inspector Kelie says the parents failed to lay proper complaints with the police and sign the necessary documents to speed up an arrest.

Inspector Kelie says the parents have claimed the matter had been resolved at home, but he says to just let a rapist go free is not only illegal but also inhuman.

© Scoop Media

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