WHP sees rise in rape, sexual assault on underage girls

By YVONNE HAIP
RAPE and sexual assault of underage girls have soared in Western Highlands, according to police.
In a summary of crimes investigated by police in the province, half the number of the cases were of carnal knowledge and forced sexual penetration on girls below the age 18 – the youngest a three-year-old.
The rest of the cases were murder, kidnapping, breaking and entering and petty crimes.
The only relieving aspect was that police had arrested all suspects involved in rape and sexual assaults of girls and they have been either arrested, charged or sentenced.
Provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane, who tabled the report, said rape cases had increased in the province.
Among the sexual assault crimes investigated by police was the kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old girl by a 38-year-old employee of the city authority in September.
The report said he was formally arrested and charged with sexual penetration of a minor on Oct 2, appeared before the court a day later and the case was adjourned.
In another incident in April, a 13-year-old boy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping a three-year-old girl.
According to the report, between August and October, there were several rape cases.
These included a 22-year-old and eight other suspects who gang-raped an 18-year-old girl in a school compound.
The suspect was charged with unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of sexual penetration of a different victim earlier.
There were also cases where a 32-year-old father of three raped a 15-year-old in a guest house in Mt Hagen and a 65-year-old who unlawfully penetrated a 15-year-old girl. Both cases are before the courts.