Call for probe into suicide case

By Rebecca Kuku
THE family members of the woman who took her life after being bullied on social media want police to investigate the matter so that people are aware of the consequences of cyber-bullying.
They went to lodge a formal complaint at the 6-Mile police station but were referred to the Cyber Crime Unit at police headquarters in Konedobu.
Pricilla Waim, 24, from Mt Hagen Central in Western Highlands drank gramoxone after she was bullied on Facebook. She was taken to the Gerehu General Hospital and later to the Port Moresby General Hospital. She died two days later.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer told The National that the family should file a report with the metropolitan superintendent so that police investigation could begin.
Communications and Energy Minister Rainbo Paita said he would also look into the matter once the formal complaint was lodged.
Family spokesman Alex Rop said they would lodge a complaint with the Cyber Crime Unit.
Rop said it was hard to understand why people saw the need to ridicule her pictures on Facebook.
“We are committed Christians and worship with the Lutheran church. As a family we forgive those who bullied her,” he said.
“But we hope that treating this incident as criminal will create awareness on the consequences of cyber bullying.”
Waim’s funeral service was held yesterday. Her body will be flown home to Anga village today.
“We will still lodge a report with the Cyber Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters at Konedobu.”
“Pricilla was a wonderful young women, a Lutheran church youth leader. Her death is a great loss to our family and tribe,” Rop said.
“She was a good big sister to her younger brother and sister who are in the village with their mother. Her father is here in Port Moresby and will be taking her home tomorrow (today).”