RSIPF charges 38-year-old male for alleged rape of 20-year-old girl in Western Province

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Gizo Police Station in Western Province have arrested and charged a 38-year-old man on 10 February for the alleged sexual assault of a 20-year-old girl at her home village on Vella la Vella Island on 9 February 2020.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Inspector Wilken Miriki says, “The victim was preparing dinner in her family kitchen when the defendant approached her. She refused to accept the defendants request to have sexual intercourse with her so she tried to escape but she couldn’t because the defendant grabbed her hand and threatened to kill her.”

“The defendant over powered the victim after he slapped her right cheek. She sustained injuries with blood all over her face and started feeling dizzy. He continuously threatened her. The victim was scared of further attacks and was helpless when the defendant allegedly raped her,” says Inspector Miriki

The victim was sent to Gizo Hospital for medical examination on 11 February because of the seriousness of her condition as a result of the alleged rape incident.

The defendant was interviewed and charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 136F (1) (a) & (b) of the Penal Code Cap 26 as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act, 2016.

The defendant has been remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre awaiting his appearance in Court at a later date as the investigation into the incident continues.

“I want to appeal to all parents to look after your young girls to avoid such sad incidences from happening in our community. Never leave our young girls alone even though they are in their teen. I further appeal to all men in our communities to respect our young girls as such an incident will affect them for the rest of their lives. It is also against the law,” says Supervising PPC Miriki.