Survey finds sextortion major issue in the Pacific

Sextortion is a major issue in parts of the Pacific, according to preliminary findings of a Transparency International survey. Photo / 123RF

By Lydia Lewis of RNZ

Preliminary findings of a yet-to-be-released Transparency International survey have found sextortion - demanding sexual favours in return for public services - is a major issue in parts of the Pacific.

Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands have higher rates of sexual extortion, according to the research.

Transparency International New Zealand Pacific advisor Mariam Mathew told RNZ Pacific women reported corruption was on the rise and sextortion is widespread.

“Sextortion is a term we refer to when a person is asked for sexual favours in exchange for them accessing public services,” Mathew said.

“It’s a form of currency and in order to access it they [women] have no other option, but to actually offer this sexual favour.”

She said initial findings show women in the Pacific were “significantly impacted” by sextortion, adding Transparency International has found the issue could be more prevalent than in other parts of the world.

“This is the first time we’re getting this sort of data,” she said.

“We need to have conversations with stakeholders [working] in this space to understand what the issue is, what is being done about it, what needs to be done about it?” she added.

Transparency International will use the initial analysis from the survey to conduct focus group discussions with key stakeholders.

Mathew said these discussions will be held at the national and regional levels by working with groups in the field of gender to validate the findings but also provide more context to it.

She added the final report is expected to come out later this year.

- RNZ