RSIPF arrests 12-yr-old male suspect for rape in Guadalcanal Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Henderson Police Station in Guadalcanal Province have arrested a 12-year-old male person for the alleged rape of a 4-year-old girl in Guadalcanal Province on 21 March 2021.

RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “Both the suspect and the victim are cousins and both are from Maokao Village in the Marumbo area of West Guadalcanal. The incident occurred in the suspect’s dwelling house at Maokao Village.”

The suspect was arrested at his home village on 1 April 2021 and transported to Henderson Police Station, where he stayed overnight. He has since been released to stay with relatives outside of police custody.

Police investigators at the Henderson Police Station are waiting to speak to the father of the victim as they continue to investigate the incident.

Before the alleged rape incident, the victim’s mother left her daughter with the suspect’s parents as she (mother of victim) went to Honiara. The father was away working at the King Solomon logging camp also in the Marumbo area

Commissioner Mangau explains, “On the day of the incident (21 March 2021) the suspect’s parents left the suspect and the victim behind and went to their garden. It is alleged that while they were alone the suspect allegedly pulled the victim into a bedroom of his house and raped the victim

“No one knew what had happened after the incident occurred. On 22 March 2021 when the victim’s mother returned from Honiara, she noticed that the victim looked uncomfortable whilst walking and experienced bleeding when she urinated. The victim’s mother later discovered what happened to her daughter and immediately transported her to the Tangarare mini Hospital where she was seen by medical staff at the Hospital. The medical staff confirmed that penetration occurred during the incident.”

“I call on members of the community in the Marumbo area who may have any information about the incident to come forward and report it to officers at the Henderson Police Station.”

“Police received the case after the suspect’s family and relatives paid compensation to the family of the victim. The compensation included $7,000.00, two pigs and a traditional Guadalcanal shell money called Malona worth $1,000.00,” says Commissioner Mangau.

He explains, “The reconciliation is a traditional norm to appease both families but police will continue to investigate the alleged incident and lay appropriate charges against the suspect.”