Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Churches to fight sorcery accusation related violence

Papua New Guinea’s major churches have committed to a joint national strategy to combat sorcery accusation related violence, declaring their determination to help end a practise that has claimed many lives and continues to damage dozens of communities across the country every year.

In a landmark development, 10 denominations have adopted the National Churches Strategic Plan to Address Sorcery Accusation Related Violence that will ensure they speak and act as one in condemning sorcery accusation related violence (SARV) and tackling its underlying causes.

The document was recently launched by PNG Council of Churches General Secretary Reverend Roger Joseph, and Governor of Enga Sir Peter Ipatas at a ceremony in Wabag, Enga.

In a joint statement, the churches warned that SARV is “one of the most prevalent issues…destroy[ing] communities”, and committed themselves to tackling it.

“The Church would like to strongly speak up against SARV in order to see it reduced in communities across the nation,” the statement said.

“The Church would like to be recognised as a place of love, peace, hope and shelter that both the accusers and accused can turn to.”

The strategy also provides a guide for church representatives to talk about SARV, and outlines actions to tackle the underlying causes of such violence including poverty and economic insecurity, health problems, inadequate education and training, and the need for improved support services.

The strategy is the result of almost a year of intensive discussion involving representatives from all church denominations, including consultations with church leaders and representatives in each of PNG’s four regions.

Australian High Commission Law and Justice Counsellor, Gina Wilson commended the churches for their leadership in developing the strategy.

“Churches are often the first responders in instances of sorcery accusation-related violence, alerted to what is happening even before the police,” she said.

 “The great influence they wield in their communities mean they are enormously important partners in bringing an end to SARV,” she added.

The strategy’s development was led by the PNG Council of Churches and the Government of PNG, particularly the Department of Justice and Attorney General, the Department for Community Development and Religion and the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, with support from the Australian Government through the PNGAusPartnership.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

Enga Governor Chief Sir Peter Ipatas (centre), with General Secretary of the PNG Council of Churches Reverend Roger Joseph and Australian High Commission Counsellor, Law and Justice, Gina Wilson, at the launch of the National Churches Strategy to address Sorcery Accusation Related Violence at Wabag, Enga Province.