Police officers in Gizo, Western Province have arrested and charged a 15-year-old juvenile in relation to an alleged rape incident at Nusa Baruku Island on 13 August 2018.
“The victim is a 4-year-old girl and the incident occurred at Nusa Baruku, an island opposite Gizo Town on 13 July 2018 (Monday) at around 3pm,” says Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Superintendent Cedar Nevol.
PPC Nevol explains: “The incident happened just close to the victim’s home, and after that suspect took her home and it was then that the child’s parent saw that the she was bleeding and they took her to Gizo Hospital for treatment.”
She adds: “The matter was reported to Police in Gizo on the same evening and the following day (14 August) the accused was arrested and charged for a count of rape and has been remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre since.”
“The victim is now admitted at the Hospital and I wish her a speedy recovery,” says Superintendent Nevol.
“An investigation into this matter is currently underway. I call on witnesses to the alleged incident to come forward with information that may help Police. And I want to call on the victim’s relatives not to take the law into their own hands but allow police to investigate this matter,” says PPC Nevol.
“I also strongly appeal to parents and guardians to look after your children. Such incidences will unfortunately affect the victim for the rest of their life. We want a future that is bright for them and a healthy and peaceful environment for them to live in. Let us start now to work together in looking after our women and girls,” says PPC Nevol.