K500 fine for assaulting daughter

A MOTHER who assaulted and swore at her daughter has been fined K500 after pleading guilty in court to a charge of domestic violence.
Rose Laupu, 48, from Kainantu’s Yabunko village in Eastern Highlands, was ordered by Lae District Court magistrate Pious Tapil to pay a K1,000 compensation to the daughter, in default six months in jail.
Magistrate Tapil told Laupu that what she did as a parent was wrong.
“This is emotional abuse,” he said. “There a better ways to (disciplining) your child (than) swearing and using all kinds of bad words.”
He said swearing at one’s child could cause “emotional damage” resulting in them failing in school.
Police told the court that on June 6 at around 3pm, the girl had returned home from school.
Her mother became angry when she saw some pictures on her mobile phone of her classmates.
She started punching, kicking and swearing at her. The next day, Laupu again assaulted her using an iron rod and chain, injuring her daughter.
Neighbours intervened and stopped the assault, before reporting the matter to the police.