‘Rape compo’ soundly rejected by all

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea

(From left) Kramer, Guinness and Manning

‘Rape compo’ soundly rejected by all

PORT MORESBY: There are overwhelming criticisms, objections and condemnation by the police, Government and churches in Papua New Guinea over the “Rape compo” case.

Northern Region commander ACP Peter Guinness wants the Grade 12 schoolboy who allegedly raped a Grade 8 school in Madanag’s Rai Coast on Jan 18 to be arrested and charged, despite compensation payment to the rape victim’s family and relatives.

Both Justice Minister Bryan Kramer and Police Comm David Manning also remarked that compensation payment to settle crime cases was not acceptable.

And the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG head bishop Rev Dr Jack Urame said such compensation payments “is not a solution”.

Read the details of their response to the “Rape compo” case reproduced below as reported by The National:


 

 

 
Guinness: Arrest the rapist

February 17, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By JIMMY KALEBE
NORTHERN Region commander ACP Peter Guinness says he wants the Grade 12 schoolboy who allegedly raped a Grade 8 schoolgirl in Madang’s Rai Coast on Jan 18 to be arrested and charged.
“I will discuss with and instruct the Madang police commander to arrest the perpetrator. Those relatives who settled for the compensation will also be questioned as to why they allow such a criminal case to be settled out of court.
“Currently many people think of the money that they will get from the compensation payment.
“They forgot all about the trauma that the victim has to bear for the rest of her life.
“Compensation payment has become a way out for perpetrators of serious crimes, especially cases of rape, causing grievous bodily harm and others,” he added.
He said paying compensation for any criminal offence under the Criminal Code Act (CCA) is akin to obstructing the course of justice.
Commenting on The National’s front page report yesterday titled “Rape compo”, ACP Guinness said rape was already an indictable offence and the perpetrator must be charged in court and “let the court decide either to give compensation or any other punishments”.
“Any offence that falls under the CCA should not be settled out of court.
“And that means payment of compensation of any sort should not be entertained,” he added.
He said in cases where so much compensation had been paid for any serious crime that falls under the CCA, police would still arrest the perpetrator (s) no matter what.
ACP Guinness warned people to refrain from accepting compensation for serious crimes as police would still arrest those who were suspected to have committed a CCA crime, irrespective of compensation being paid. On the police toll free communication in Madang, ACP Guinness said there were instances when police personnel were not available to answer calls.
“Sometimes it is simply because policemen are not at work.
“I will talk to Madang PPC to come up with a solution,” he said, adding that the divisional command was linking up Eastern Highlands, Madang and Lae so that any police toll-free centre could respond immediately.

Compo not immunity

February 17, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
COMPENSATION payments do not provide immunity for crime, Justice Minister Bryan Kramer told The National yesterday.
Responding to The National’s front page report titled “Rape compo” yesterday, Kramer said: “Any person (s) who tells the police to stay out of investigating or prosecuting a crime constituted to perverting the course of justice.
“They are liable to be charged (and prosecuted).”
The National reported yesterday that a Grade 12 schoolboy allegedly raped a Grade 8 schoolgirl in her home in Madang’s Rai Coast on Jan 18.
Police Minister William Onglo said criminal investigations that ended abruptly were because of compensation payments.
“We have many cases that could not be concluded because of compensation payments.
“In that way, the real culprits (or perpetrators or criminals) feel that they can get away with any crime (as long as) compensation is offered.
“(But) we have to ensure we prosecute the suspect (s) and (let) the judge make the decision,” Onglo said.
Police Commissioner David Manning told The National that the challenge for the constabulary was to ensure that compensation was not encouraged and that compensation payments could not replace the criminal justice system.
“We in the constabulary say it should not be an option when dealing with criminal offenders.
“We in the constabulary do not encourage compensation or this type of crime,” he added.

Church head condemns compo for rape victim

February 17, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By BRADLEY MARIORI

EVANGELICAL Lutheran Church of PNG head bishop Rev Dr Jack Urame condemns the payment of compensation to settle the rape of a Grade 8 schoolgirl, saying “it is not a solution”.
“Violence against minors is on the rise.
“That is why paying compensation (to settle violence or crime) is no solution will not heal the damage caused,” he said in response to The National’s front page report yesterday titled “Rape compo”.
“We will continue to worsen such issues if we continue to accept compensation and let the perpetrators go free.
“Law and justice sector, churches, non-government organisations, the civil society and everyone need to work together to address violence, rape and other (negative) socio-issues. “The systems and structures used in solving such issues in the past are failing.
“Violence against minors is increasing and we need to do something now.
“We need to identify the contributing factors to sexual violence and address it,” he added.
Rev Urame said collaborated action was needed to stop immoral behaviours, violence and sexual abuse.
“The issue of rape, incest and sexual assault of minors should be treated as a national concern and the Government should come up with a national strategy on how to address problems that are on the rise nationwide.
“We need to be more practical to complement the Government’s decision to make PNG a Christian country.
“Many sexual abuses happen between people who are related to each other and this is a sign of society breaking down.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more