9 Oct 2007

PNG police chief keen for domestic violence petition to be taken seriously

7:15 pm on 9 October 2007

Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, says a petition raising the issue of violence against women and children in his country is long overdue, and he welcomes it.

The Community Development Minister's petition calls on the Government to take a proactive approach to dealing with family violence.

Dame Carol Kidu says violent crime is increasing rapidly with women subjected to alarming levels of abuse.

She says police are ignorant about addressing domestic violence, and are reluctant to deal with offenders.

Mr Baki, who is attending a region wide police conference in Wellington, says he is keen to see the petition taken seriously.

He also says he thinks police need to change their own behaviour.

"It's going to be a challenge which means we will really have to break the mind set of our own people - police officers."

Commisioner Baki says he welcomes the move by Dame Carol Kidu.