Speak out, women told

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday February 24th, 2014

 By SHEILA MALKEN

FOR many years women and girls have been suffering silently from harassment and abuse by law enforcing officers, mainly in rural areas of this country.

East Sepik Women of Council president, Sophie Mangai said on Thursday was time to break the silence and speak out so that action could be taken.

“If we, women, keep the silence then who else is going to break it,” she said.

“Now that the police have taken the step to help women, there is no need to be afraid anymore.”

She said the 18-year-old victim of alleged police abuse had been brave enough to come to the crisis centre for help, and council had helped with police teams from Port Moresby and Lae.

“Women have been mistreated for doing good deeds, and now let justice prevail,” Mangai said.

She said the alleged incident that happened at Kawanumbo village had prompted great publicity here and overseas and thanked the media for their support.

“Women like me are not on the payroll for what we are doing to serve other women and it is time to respect the status of women folks,” Mangai said.

She said there had been a lot of law and order problems in the province, and thanked police chief, Simon Kauba for sending a team into the province for investigations.

Mangai called on the people of East Sepik not to take sides in the situation and let the court make its decision now that the matter was before it.

“Here in the province, we want police leaders with good public relations so that we all can work together to address issues affecting the province,” she said.

Suspended Wewak police station commander, Sakawar Kasieng will appear again in court next month. He has been accused of rape.