SEXUAL abuse of young children in East New Britain is very prevalent, a national court judge says, The National reports.
Justice Salatiel Lenalia said that in sentencing a 60-year-old man from central Gazelle to 21 years in jail for raping and sexually assaulting his niece.
In 2009, the victim was in Grade 10 when the man began to sexually abuse her.
Between July 1 and 15, 2010, the man raped her.
Lenalia said women and young girls in Papua New Guinea and even male infants were at the mercy of those who called themselves protectors.
For the charge of sexual assault, the man was sentenced to three years and for the rape charge, he received 18 years.