Australia Network News. Topic: Child Abuse. The non-government organisation World Vision Australia says urban drift and the high cost of living in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby is driving more children into prostitution.
Prostitution and child sexual abuse have long been identified as significant issues in Papua New Guinea. But we have to be careful with the figures because there is not really a base line done. The Post Courier newspaper reported this week a 30 per cent increase on the number of sex workers since last year. Dr Boguslawki says urban drift, the high cost of living in places like Port Moresby and high unemployment is fuelling the problem.
He also says family breakdown and children who aren't properly cared for or supervised is also an issue. It is a criminal offence in PNG to use or offer a child for prostitution, but Dr Boguslawski says the laws aren't properly enforced. A recent paper published by the Australian National University in Canberra found it is still possible to prosecute a child for being a prostitute.
The problem is here. We need to address it," Dr Boguslawski said. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Footer ABC News homepage.
