A 26-year-old man accused of raping his 15-year-old niece is awaiting a verdict, which has been postponed until tomorrow. The defendant faces two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault related to alleged events during a party on January 22, 2022.
It is claimed that the man, who is in a defacto relationship with the victim’s paternal aunt, forced himself on the victim in a restroom while she was trying to use the facilities. Reports indicate that during the assault, the young girl expressed her pain and tried to escape, resulting in her hitting her head on a roofing iron.
Originally scheduled for 2:30 PM yesterday, the verdict was postponed by Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull of the Suva High Court. During closing arguments, Pooja Mishra, the prosecutor from the Director of Public Prosecutions, stressed the credibility of the victim’s testimony. She explained that the victim delayed reporting the incident due to a combination of factors, including the approach of her exams and fear of her father. The issue came to light when the victim, after hearing rumors of another underaged girl’s pregnancy, disclosed the assault to her teacher at 1 AM on the day of the incident.
The defense, represented by Joji Cakau, presented a medical report that corroborated the victim’s claims of injury. He called on the court to view the evidence in favor of his client and seek an acquittal.
This case underscores the ongoing challenge of sexual violence within familial settings, as there have been numerous similar incidents reported in recent months involving minors assaulted by relatives. This troubling trend highlights the urgent need for effective legal frameworks and community initiatives designed to protect victims and ensure justice is served.
The hope is that through this trial, a more robust support system for victims can be established, encouraging more individuals to come forward and report abuses, ultimately leading to greater accountability for offenders and a safer environment for vulnerable populations.
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