Violence and abuse remains a major concern for children throughout Papua New Guinea. Many children are subject to physical, sexual and emotional abuse; counselling and referral systems are either grossly inadequate or simply non-existent. Studies indicate that more than half of all women and girls in PNG have suffered physical assault from a male, with sexual violence also being commonplace. Many village courts rely on customary laws that fail to protect the rights of women and children in abuse situations.

There are many contributing factors to child abuse and vulnerability, including endemic poverty, increased urban migration, the low status of children, the breakdown of traditional care mechanisms, and increasing alcohol and drug use among adults and adolescents. Low level and high impact emergency situations - which include ongoing tribal conflict - and the HIV and AIDS epidemic further escalate the vulnerability of children to abuse.

Save the Children are working to improve the care and protection of vulnerable children through enhancing the capacities of families, communities, government and other service providers to provide coordinated and sustainable child protection services for the most vulnerable children, while also empowering children themselves. Our activities include:

• Advocating for legislative change to ban corporal punishment

• Establishing and training community groups to identify child protection issues in their community, and to advocate for child protection and child rights

• Educating children in communities on their rights and how they can self protect

• Providing training to government on child protection

• Planning to cover gaps in child protection core services, working alongside government