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In Papua New Guinea, the issue of violence, particularly against children, is extremely serious.

Like any teenager, Regina* wants to spend time with her friends, go to school and learn. But from the age of just 14, Regina was being sexually abused on a regular basis.

Regina was eight years old when her father died. Her mother struggled to afford basic necessities for the family, and Regina felt inferior to her classmates because she did not have the things she needed for school.

A man in his 50s took advantage of her desperate situation. In exchange for sex, the perpetrator gave her money to pay for the things she needed to keep going to school. She was too scared to tell anyone what was happening to her.

Regina was still just 14 when her mother died, leaving her even more vulnerable to her abuser. She endured having sex with the perpetrator so she could receive money to meet her basic needs.

Through the PNG violence helpline, Regina was able to get the support she needed to escape the abuse and reclaim her childhood. Too many young girls like Regina are being abused in this way and cannot see a way to escape.

Educating children like Regina on their rights, how to identify abuse, and knowing who to ask for help is the first step in helping them escape abusive situations.

We need to give children like Regina the support they need to call out their abusers and stand up against violence. Please donate now to help keep children like Regina safe.

*Regina’s name has been changed to protect her identity.