21 Jul 2006

PNG policeman charged with raping child

1:18 pm on 21 July 2006

A reserve policeman in Papua New Guinea has been arrested and charged with the rape of a six-year-old girl at a police station in the city of Lae.

Police took him into custody after an angry crowd converged on the China Town station demanding the officer be dealt with.

Tuesday's alleged rape is the latest in a string of sexual attacks on children and pack rapes of teenage girls that have prompted widespread outrage in PNG this year.

In March, more than 2,000 women marched in Port Moresby to protest over the high incidence of rapes in the country.