'Deeply disturbing' video shows group of men attacking woman at PNG university
In short:
A young woman has been jeered at and assaulted by a large group of men as she walked across a university campus in Papua New Guinea.
The incident has been condemned by the university's vice-chancellor as well as a prominent women's rights activist, who said she was "sickened to the bone" by footage of the incident.
What's next?
Papua New Guinea will next month mark the 50th anniversary of its independence — but it still has one of the world's highest rates of violence against women.
Women's rights advocates say they're horrified after a young woman was mobbed and attacked by a large crowd of men on a university campus in Papua New Guinea.
Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing.
Video footage of the incident shows a woman walking at night with her hands covering her ears while a group of men surround her, shouting and jeering.
Despite being escorted by two security guards, she is physically attacked multiple times by men in the crowd, and attempts to fight them off.
Two security guards accompanying the woman were unable to prevent her from being assaulted. (Supplied)
It is understood the incident took place over the weekend at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in the city of Lae.
The university's vice-chancellor, Ora Renagi, released a statement strongly condemning the behaviour.
"The video showing a young woman being harassed by a group of students on our campus is deeply disturbing," Professor Renagi said.
"Mob behaviour is unacceptable, harassment is a crime, and such actions will not be tolerated."
He said the university had launched an investigation and students involved would face disciplinary action.
A separate statement by a student body said the woman was not a registered student at the university.
It claimed the incident occurred after a verbal confrontation between the woman and a male student after the woman tried to enter a first-year dormitory.
Activist 'sickened to the bone' by footage
Maureen Jane, a Papua New Guinean journalist and women's rights advocate, said the incident was symptomatic of deeper issues in the country.
Journalist Maureen Jane has called on PNG leaders to act to stamp out violence against women. (Supplied)
"I'm sickened to the bone. I'm sickened to the core of my soul," Ms Jane told the ABC.
She called on all leaders at all levels of government to address gender-based violence.
"What's being done about 'men's mob mentality', especially at a university level? What does it mean for women, our sisters, mothers, and girls 50 years on?" she said.
Her comments come as Papua New Guinea prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence next month.
However, the country has one of the world's highest rates of violence against women.
"Women leaders from all levels of government, the PNG society, please come together to eradicate these barbaric acts," Ms Jane said.
Dadi Toka Junior, a former politician, said it was worrying to see educated citizens behaving in such a way.
"I'm deeply concerned about the next generation of leaders coming through our highest education institutions," he said.
On social media, opposition MP Allan Bird posted a call to action, saying "dear men, choose today if you will be a perpetrator or a defender".