A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years and 11 months in prison for the rape of a then 14-year-old member of his church. The High Court mandated that he serve a minimum of 13 years and 11 months before becoming eligible for parole.
During the sentencing, which took place before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, details emerged about the crime that occurred in May 2022 at the grandmother’s house of the victim during a church event. The man lured the young girl under the pretense of helping him find his mobile phone, at which point he assaulted her.
The case came to light when the victim’s mother discovered her daughter was pregnant, leading to the girl, now 16, revealing the ordeal. The accused has acknowledged his paternity of the child.
It took the victim six months to report the incident, a delay attributed to her fear of negative repercussions, including being asked to leave her home. Justice Rajasinghe emphasized the betrayal of trust, noting the victim was a young member of the church and had known the perpetrator for a long time.
This case highlights the importance of creating safe environments for young individuals and the necessity of addressing issues of trust and accountability within community organizations. It serves as a reminder that support systems need to empower victims to speak out and seek justice without fear of retaliation.
In summary, the sentencing reflects a significant step towards justice for the victim, who now has a chance for healing and recovery, and it reinforces the message that sexual violence will not be tolerated in any community.
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