A shocking report on homosexuality and unprotected sex in four major Police holding cells and jails inthe country.
The study reported that forced and consensual sex is a common occurrence and that such become ideal conditions for the spread ofthe HIV virus.
The study commissioned bythe UN and carrlied out bytheInstitute of Medical Research found male to male sex was reported in all four prisons visited despite denial from some senior staff and prisoners.
It comprised long term relationships, sex for goods or as punishmentoand sometimes included one or more men.
While women are safer in prison, in police holding cellsthey’re not. They face sexual assault and rape as well as sex for bail money.
Health and HIV Counseling services are limited and prisoners are not provided a health assessment on entry into prison. Only one facility visited for the study provided condoms to prisoners, and this was only to prisoners going on weekend release.
The study recommends that UN agencies in PNG push for open discussion about sexual violence in prisons and holding cells.
Forthe safety of women, better security including separate holding cells be guarded by female wardens. The UN says it will futher technical assistants in this matter.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ptBeibzzKdg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
