US Peace Corps staffer leaves Tonga after brutal attack

Virginie Dourlet says: It's getting worse... But it seems like this time no one can pretend to ignore how bad violence against women is in Tonga. And not just by young drunk guys at the bar (which is what most seem to believe the limit is). It's awful, truly awful. I hope this guy gets caught and severely punished.

Patrick Reardon: Incredibly bad and sad! The police must do everything in their power to bring the perpetrator to justice! Peace Corps volunteers are there to assist the people of Tonga and they are doing so on the goodness of their hearts, and higher calling to serve. To be assaulted is just unbelievably sad. I remember how sad it was when a young Peace Corps volunteer lost her life after being bitten by a shark while swimming in Tonga--despite the brave efforts by other young Tongans to swim into the dangerous water to chase away the shark and rescue the young volunteer. Despite the sadness, I felt proud then and appreciative of the Tongans efforts. With this attack-and other news of recent vicious attacks against tourists, I cannot help but feel nothing other than anger at the thugs and an immense sense of sadness for Tonga...

Let's not forget that this is at least the 3rd attack like this in quite a short time. Remember the Kiwi who was attacked while working in her classroom on a Saturday a couple of months ago (she was a teacher)? And on that same day there was another attack on a local woman (of which I know less detail). The police better wake up and begin taking these attacks and the rampant theft seriously. How do I know they aren't already awake, because my family was robbed and I saw their response first-hand. Community leaders and pastors need to wake up too. We're so worried about a bakery being open on Sunday as if that's going to make us holier and we're ignoring the dark reality all around us.

Kuo pau ke tau teuteu kitautolu ke tau fe'ao pe mo e faihiaa kae'oleva kuo hokomai 'a e 'aho fakamui. He 'ikai ha taha pe potungaue polisi 'i mamani tene lava ke ta'ofi 'a e faihia 'a e kau faihiaa. Ko e taha ngaahi fatongia 'o e kau polisi ke fakatotolo'i 'a e faihia 'a e kakai pea 'oatu ki he fakamaau'anga. Ko hono feinga koia ke ta'ofi fakalukufua e faihiaa, ko e talanoa loloa ia. Ko e fakatotoloo 'oku fai atu pe meihe 'aho 'e taha ki he ta'u 'e taha, ta'u 20, 30 ,40, 50 'o a'u ki he 'ikai lava hano fakatotolo'i. Ko e kau polisi 'oku 'ikai koha fanga 'otua, pe fanga 'angelo ke nau 'afio'i me'a kotoa pe fekau'aki moha faihia. Ke hoko pe ha hia pea nau afio'i pea 'ai honau kapakau pea nau puna atu 'o puke mai fa'ahinga na'anau fai e hia koia. Ko e tangata (human beings) hange pe ko ko e mo au. Taimi lahi 'oku fai e fakatotolo pea ma'u, pea taimi lahi 'oku tuai pe 'ikai ma'u. 'Oku tau fehi'a kotoape 'i he me'a na'e hoko ki he fefine 'peacecorp' pea 'oku tau loto ke ma'u 'a e tokotaha na'ane fai. Toe pe 'eni ke 'ai 'a e mahino 'iate kitautolu pea tukuange 'a e kau polisi ke fai 'enua ngaue. 'Oku lolotonga taufana 'a e kau polisi mo e kakai he taimini 'i 'Amelikani pea kuo lahi e mate tatau pe kakai mo e kau polisi. Ko hono 'uhingaa he 'oku 'iai fu'u kakai fakavalevale tokolahi 'oku nau feinga kinautolu ke ta'ofi mo fiepoto ki he kau polisi 'i he fakahoko honau ngaahi fatongia fakalao, na'e ako'i kinautolu ki ai, 'Oku tau fakafeta'i 'oku 'i ai 'etau potungaue polisi, pea tukuangte ke fai 'enau ngauee.....SAIA