Papua New Guinea's serious crime problem is being met with a violent police response. Children, who compose nearly half of the country's 5.6 million people, are especially vulnerable to police attacks. Brutal beatings, rape, and the torture of children, as well as confinement in the primitive conditions of police lockups, are widespread police practices. Although high-level government officials acknowledge that such police abuse of children is occurring, almost nothing has been done to stop it. This report recommends that the minister of police and the police commissioner publicly repudiate these specific behaviors by police. Further, the commissioner, with the support of the government, should make a clear commitment to the guidelines for the use of police force, consistent with international legal standards. In addition, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary should take swift and effective action against police officers who torture, rape, or use excessive force against children. This should include administrative measures and criminal prosecution. Commanding officers who fail to take action to prevent and punish such abuses by their officers should face similar sanctions. Finally, the government should immediately designate an independent body outside the police force to monitor police violence against children. This body should have the mandate and resources to enter police lockups and detention centers without notice; to hold private interviews with all children held there; to collect other evidence from children; to compel police to provide evidence of these children's crimes; and to refer cases for prosecution.