A 26-year-old man accused of raping his 15-year-old niece has had his verdict postponed to tomorrow. He faces two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault, alleged to have occurred during a drinking party with friends on January 22, 2022.
In the event, it is claimed that the man, who is in a defacto relationship with the complainant’s paternal aunt, forced himself on the victim in a toilet while she was attempting to relieve herself. Reports state that during the encounter, the young girl expressed pain and attempted to escape, causing her to hit her head on a roofing iron.
Judgement was originally scheduled for 2:30 PM yesterday, but Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull of the Suva High Court has adjourned the proceedings. In her closing submissions, lawyer Pooja Mishra from the Director of Public Prosecutions emphasized the credibility of the victim’s testimony, explaining that her delayed reporting was due to the approach of her exams and fear of her father. The situation only came to attention after the victim, who had been at school, learned about rumors concerning another underaged girl’s pregnancy, prompting her to disclose the incident to her teacher around 1 AM on the day the assault occurred.
The defense attorney, Joji Cakau, presented a medical report indicating the victim sustained injuries consistent with her claims. He urged the court to consider the evidence favorably for his client, advocating for acquittal.
The juxtaposition of this case with similar past incidents emphasizes the persistent issue of sexual violence, particularly within family dynamics. There have been several cases in recent months involving the sexual assault of minors by family members, highlighting the critical need for vigilant legal processes and societal measures to ensure justice and protection for victims.
Hope remains that through these legal proceedings, a comprehensive approach can be adopted to support victims during such harrowing times, fostering an environment where they feel safe to report abuses, ultimately leading to accountability for the perpetrators.
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