Beyond tribal violence: everyday crime and insecurity in PNG

Jack Assa, Francis Essacu and Judy Putt

Published

05 Jul 2026

Tribal fighting dominates discussion of insecurity in PNG, but for many urban residents it is everyday crime — robberies, break-ins, harassment — that most shapes daily life. New survey evidence shows why everyday crime must move to the centre of the policy debate.DisclosureThis research was supported by the Pacific Research Program, with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views are those of the authors only.About the author/sJack AssaJack Assa is a Lecturer of Public Policy Management at the School of Business and Public Policy at the University of Papua New Guinea.Francis EssacuFrancis Essacu is an Associate Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Research & Development) at the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea. He also serves as Head of the School of Higher Degree Research and Postgraduate Studies.Judy PuttJudy Putt is a research fellow at the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs.