Highlands women make a stand against the senseless killing of another victim of sorcery accusation-related violence. Photo: Supplied
The President of Papua New Guinea's Divine Word University is calling for the establishment of a fund to help the victims of sorcery accusations.
Accusing people of sorcery is a common occurrence in PNG and while some of those unjustly accused die, survivors can be made homeless and penniless.
Father Philip Gibbs has been an advocate for the victims of sorcery-related violence for many years and wants to see a fund set up.
He said he is envisaging a managed fund these people can draw for expenses like medical costs and school fees which are a real burden for the survivors.
"I find them expressing their need a lot," Father Gibbs said.
"Like, just this morning [Thursday], I got news that one [victim] has to see a surgeon this afternoon at the hospital and it will probably mean another operation.
"So she will probably need another 500 kina to have the operation. Another one asked me for 500 kina to help pay the rent for the next month," he added.
Father Gibbs said those affected could not live at home anymore, having been rejected by their families because of the accusations.
He said the fund would have to be formally managed, with the money hopefully coming from the government and civil society organisations that are already involved in caring for the victims.
But he said a difficulty is that funds in PNG have a habit of disappearing.
Divine Word University is a national university which is ecumenical, co-educational and privately governed with government support.
