A pastor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting his then 15-year-old niece by the High Court in Lautoka. The married defendant, who has a child, was convicted on two counts of indecent assault, as well as one count each of rape and sexual assault, which took place between October 27 and 28, four years ago.
The court heard that the assaults occurred when the pastor was home alone with his niece while his wife was dropping their child off at school. A subsequent incident took place after she requested to be taken to visit a cousin in Ba. Instead, the pastor drove her to Lautoka, claiming to visit a mechanic. During this visit, the mechanic arrived with alcohol, and as both of them consumed drinks, the victim fell asleep in the vehicle. She awoke to find her uncle assaulting her, while the mechanic, witnessing the act, chose to ignore it and went back into his house. The victim managed to escape after defending herself by kicking her uncle, which left him unconscious.
Justice Aruna Aluthge emphasized that the evidence presented by the defense did not hold up, stating, “I am not convinced that the complainant lodged a false report against her uncle.” The judge noted inconsistencies in the accused’s testimony, indicating that he was merely attempting to evade responsibility for the serious allegations against him.
This ruling underscores the importance of upholding justice in cases of sexual assault and highlights the critical role of survivors in seeking accountability. By bringing her experience to light, the victim has demonstrated remarkable courage, inspiring hope for others in similar situations to seek justice and healing. As society becomes more aware of such grave issues, it reinforces the need for supportive environments that empower victims to speak out.
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