By REBECCA KUKU
CHILD prostitution is on the rise in Papua New Guinea and the situation is likely to worsen with a free flow of cash in 2022 General Election, an official says.
Child and Family Services Office executive director Simon Yanis said: “Parents, communities and churches must step up their vigilance and work closely with us to address the issue.
“When there is a lot of cash flowing in the economy (during the election), girls aged 14 and above are often sexually exploited. There are paedophiles everywhere, and we must all work together to protect our children.”
Yanis said in preparation for the general election, “we have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and the Solomon Islands to implement the Lukautim Pikinini Act through the church’s nationwide network. We now have officers in all the provinces right down to the district level and we want to be there for our children.
“If you are a young woman or man under aged 18 and below, and if you are being sexually exploited, or forced into prostitution, come speak to our officers, in your district, provinces or to the main office in the National Capital District.
“Or if you know of any child involved in child prostitution or being paid for sex services, please report them.”
Yanis warned those luring and paying for child prostitution that they would be brought to face the full brunt of the law.
“We have associations and groups that stand up for women rights,” he said.
“Women have a voice, people living with disabilities have a voice.
“What about our children?
“Children are our future and it is our duty to protect them.”
The agreement will facilitate the conference and the Solomon Islands to jointly work on the implementation of the Lukautim Pikinini Act.
The office gave K40,000 to the conference to continue with their work to protect children through the church’s nationwide network.
“The MoA will promote the need and rights of the vulnerable and disadvantaged children,” Yanis said.
“Under this partnership, the office will also be training community child protection officers in each of the 19 dioceses in the country on how to implement the Act.
“This is a milestone achievement as we are hoping to establish a network right down to district level and into communities, to protect children.”
Deputy Bishop for right relationships in ministry Rev Rozario Menezes said the responsibility of raising a child and providing protection was not just the role of the parents and guardians.
“The Government has a role to play and the duty to ensure that children are protected,” he said.
“It is also the church’s duty and even the media.
“We all must work together to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse.”
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