Officials: Sorcery accusations a big problem

SORCERY accusation related violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea has evolved into a bigger problem which can only be effectively addressed through partnerships, officials say.
This was revealed during a discussion on SARV facilitated by the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) yesterday that brought together church leaders, government officials, community leaders, civil society representatives and members of the society throughout PNG and abroad.
It was to reflect on what had been done and to find a way forward.
The topics discussed included: sanguma, assisting the victims of SARV, awareness of the issue in the community and how to put an end to the violence.
CBC secretary for social communications Fr Ambrose Peraira said on Aug 10, around 3,000 people from the Diocese of Mendi, Southern Highlands, with members of other denominations staged a peaceful awareness march at Momei Oval in commemorating the first International Day Against SARV.
He said the discussion was part of last week’s programme to ensure conversations on ending SARV in PNG continued.
Mendi Bishop Donald Lippert said this was something that had been dealt with for many decades.
“Unfortunately, from my perspective here in the Southern Highlands (especially), it is not stopping, it is not going down,” Lippert said.
“We have had different programmes here but it is morphing into something which it never was originally, including having a very perverse sexual aspect.”