All must join fight against crime

 THE National Capital District and East New Britain are two of the most developed and affluent areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Citizens and residents of the National Capital District and East New Britain enjoy a higher standard of living than people in other provinces.

In particular, the National Capital District enjoys special status as the nation’s capital, hosting the seats of government and commerce as well as Port Moresby City, whose privileged population enjoy a lifestyle that most citizens can only dream of.

Despite their high political and socio-economic status, the National Capital District and East New Britain are two of the worst crime affected areas in the country.

Like social diseases, crimes like rape have become prevalent in the National Capital District and East New Britain, police say.

On Monday, acting National Capital District metropolitan commander Perou N’dranou lamented the increase in rape cases in the nation’s capital and warned women and young girls to be extra careful about their safety.

And yesterday, East New Britain police commander Anthony Wagambie Jnr confirmed there was an increase in pack rape, especially in the Rabaul area.

Wagambie said this after police took in 15 men for questioning over the recent rape of a woman at Malaguna, in Rabaul district.

Both police commanders reported an increasing number rape cases in the past week in which women and young girls fell victims to men who would rather be known as animals of the worst kind.

N’dranou and Wagambie are extremely concerned about this alarming trend – and so should all law-abiding citizens in the country, especially those in the nation’s capital and East New Britain.

Why should rapists be allowed to roam our streets, suburbs and villages at will and continue to commit this horrendous crime? 

Is it because our laws are too soft or it is because we do not want to know as long as it is not our sisters, wives or mothers who being violated by these packs of rabid dogs.

Somewhere along the line, something drastic needs to be done to control the rising trend of rape and other social crimes like incest and domestic violence in this country.

Crimes like rape need more than the police to bring under control. 

Education is the key and  that starts with every family in the country. They have a  responsibility to educate their children about such horrendous wrongs.

Community involvement and efforts are essential in cleansing our streets, suburbs and villages of people with rapist tendencies and behaviour.

The Christian chur­ches in this country should be at the forefront of the war against evils like rape and incest. 

Why have our church leaders been so quiet on the law and order situation in this country? 

Aside from some comment by the Catholic Church on the recent sorcery-related killings, the silence of the other mainstream and Pentecostal churches is almost deafening.

While the government is concerned about the increasing rate of crime and the private sector equally alarmed at the impact of crime on their business activities and profitability, the churches are seemingly indifferent in their outlook and response to serious social and crime related issues in PNG.

Isn’t it part of their mission to save condemned souls like rapists and other sex offenders? 

Or would they rather preach the Gospel from the safety of their pulpits?

PNG is a Christian country and its church leaders must walk the talk of Christ, not only at Easter but throughout the year. 

They must begin to play a leading role in changing the mindset of citizens who have become victims of the rapid lifestyle changes that are taking place in this country. 

More than any time in Papua New Guinea’s short political history a concerted effort is needed by all sectors of our society – from the public and private sectors to the churches and civil groups – to control and quell the rising trend of crime before the purveyors of these evil activities overwhelm our civil society.

It’s never too late to educate our younger generation to become law-abiding and God-fearing citizens of our beautiful country.