Make PNG safe for women, children

IT is unfair that not everyone in Papua New Guinea can experience the freedom they deserve because of the actions of some.
Females especially tend to always look over their shoulders and scan the area they are in to give themselves some comfort or peace.
Most times, those who take joy in disturbing others get away but the few who get caught have always paid the price for their actions.
The police prosecutors involved in such cases should be commended for their efforts in ensuring the perpetrator pays for his actions.
Sadly in some cases, the perpetrators are released on bail or the police are unable to produce in court the evidence required to convict them. Some offenders as a result walk out free or receive a penalty too lenient for the crime they committed.
Women in PNG especially towns and cities rarely walk around freely without being assaulted or intimidated.
Everyone comes from a family so obviously all perpetrators have female relatives including a mother so one would wonder if they ever think that what if the same is done to their own.
These deranged individuals never thought about if it was their sister or daughter at the receiving end.
But then again, that will be asking too much of these sick individuals.
All law-abiding and right-thinking citizens should now be sickened by the recent incidents of sexual attacks not only on females but also on young vulnerable boys.
PNG is a country full of resources and many opportunities but the biggest problem is law and order and one of them is rape.
Every time a woman moves out of the comfort of their home/office, their heads are tilted to see who is walking up beside or behind and for some the grip tightens on their bag or purse pressing it towards their body.
Why can’t we women in PNG just carry our bags or string bags on our shoulders, walk out of our homes or offices, without worrying about who is behind us or walking towards us?
Even a female driver has to be on full alert all the time when on the road.
Why?
If this is the scenario we have today, what will it be like for our daughters in 10, 20 years’ time?
Would this sick trend have improved by then or would it be worse off?
Our only resort is the law and we should ensure the perpetrators of sexual assault of children are brought to justice and hope the courts will apply the most severe punishment allowed by law on them.
This is the responsibility of every Papua New Guinean, but the vast majority of us have manifestly failed to fulfil our duty.
All of us are culpable to different degrees, ranging from turning a blind eye to those heinous crimes, not speaking out against them or leaving the problem to be dealt with by parents, teachers, guardians, police, social workers or counsellors who are already overwhelmed.
We all have to do more.
We all have to be watchful, protective, and speak out about what we know or observe.
No one is above the law, and in some instances the perpetrators are the so-called most respectable citizens.