The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch has released its World Report 2016, which reviews the human rights practices of countries across the world. The report used the rates of family and sexual violence, gender inequality, corruption, and excessive force by police to determine that Papua New Guinea was one of the most dangerous places globally for women and girls. According to the report, women in Papua New Guinea have a 70% chance of being raped or sexually assaulted in their lifetime. The government has criminalized violence against women and domestic violence. However, these laws are rarely implemented and, according to HRW, prosecutors prefer to mediate or compensate victims rather than bring criminal charges.
Compiled from: Papua New Guinea: Failing to Protect Women and Girls, Human Rights Watch (January 27, 2016).