Abuse of children is despicable

 THE ill treatment of children is a topic that elicits strong emotions among members of the public. 

The abuse of minors is considered one of the most despicable acts. 

Physical and emotional abuse of children by their parents, relatives or people in a position of reverence and trust is an unfortunate occurrence in society. 

The young, the handicapped, the disadvantaged, the poor, the old and infirm are vulnerable to abuse in different forms. 

The abuse and molesting of children ranks next to crimes like rape and even murder in the eyes of some. 

Victims are often left scarred and altered permanently by the experience. 

The tragedy is that the perpetrators of the abuse are commonly people the child knows or has some kind of relationship with. 

Sadly, we have had reports over the previous weeks of young children and teenagers falling victim to people who do not seem to have a sense of decency, morality or humanity. 

The conviction of a Catholic priest last week in the National Court on charges of the abuse of primary school students in his care has probably shocked a nation and the community at large. 

The acts perpetrated on the children aged between 11 and 15 were of a sexual nature and as in many, if not all communities in Papua New Guinea, talking about it was a taboo subject and something not easily brought up among family, relatives or even among friends. 

The priest, from a diocese in East New Britain, was sentenced yesterday after he was first investigated for the offences in 2012. 

We can only hope that the presiding judge exerts the full force of the law on this person for the crime he has committed. 

Showing remorse does not change what has transpired and regardless of the Christian tenet of forgiveness, the message must be loud and clear, that there will be no quarter given, no leniency afforded and no arbitration or mitigation for anyone who is guilty. 

Anywhere in the world, the news of abuse committed by priests is met with disgust and anger among the community. As with the push to protect women by non-government agencies, there should be an effort to put the welfare of children at the forefront of the campaign and violence and abuse. 

The priest, who has since been suspended by the church, chose to remain silent during the trial in Kokopo last week. 

We hope this is for shame and guilt. 

We hope that the Catholic Church, through its hierarchy, condemns this vile behaviour unequivocally, as it should all acts against man but more so because these heinous actions were committed against children, and dare we say, ones who were baptised in the faith and led to believe that priests are God’s representatives here to guide and provide comfort. But this is not all, there have been other worrying reports on cases of infanticide and of the rape of a mute girl in the news recently and one wonders whether we, as a people, have become somewhat desensitised by these wanton acts and truly terrible behaviour, that we are not demanding harsher penalties and for our laws to reflect how much contempt good, decent and law-abiding citizens have for this evil. 

Perhaps it is time for an overhaul of the laws that cover these crimes and while law-makers are at it, crimes such sorcery and payback killings as well. 

There should be a law that says a family cannot choose to take a form of compensation for the abuse suffered by a child. 

In this country, there is a tendency to solve such problems with the taking of such payments and although people may consider this a reasonable way of addressing any problem, it says nothing  of the trauma and pain suffered by the victim. 

Children are cherished in Melanesian culture and are affectionately regarded by the immediate and extended family. 

But while there is always an element of discipline that they adhere to, as in any other society, there is no denying that Papua New Guineans see children as an important part of the community because they bring a sense of joy and contentment to the present but because of the promise they hold of the future. 

Let us do all we can to protect and nurture them.