RSIPF arrests two suspects in Central Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulagi in Central Province have arrested two suspects for an alleged attempted rape incident and a separate alleged incident of domestic violence on Savo Island on 20 October 2020.

The suspects were escorted to Tulagi Police Station from Monago and Bonala villages on Savo Island.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province Inspector Walter Manefakale says, “The suspect in the domestic violence incident is a younger brother of the victim who allegedly struck the victim on her neck with a stick. The victim was on medication for a week. The suspect was arrested and charged for domestic violence contrary to section 4(1) (a) and section 58 of the Family Protection Act 2014.”

“The suspect of the attempted rape offence was an elder man and was also relative of the victim. He was arrested for the offence of Attempted Rape Contrary to section 136F (3) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016.”

The suspect has released on bail and will appear in Honiara Magistrate court at a later date.

“I want to advice young and elderly men in our communities to respect our girls. Young girls and women take care of yourselves by not going to remote areas of our communities by yourselves but make sure someone accompanies you. Rape is a serious crime and if found guilty by a court it could result in a custodial sentence of up to seven years,” says PPC Manefakale.