AsiaNews reports that “ Sorcery Accusation-related Violence (SARV)” is “a widespread problem in Papua New Guinea. . . . It is not uncommon for an entire community to attack individuals accused of engaging in the occult (rituals and spells), going so far in some cases as to torture and kill the victims.”

Christianity is the official religion of the western Pacific nation of 7.3 million (map). The country is 64% Protestant and 31% Catholic, with 3% adhering to ethnic religions.