A pastor has been found guilty of raping his 15-year-old niece by the High Court in Lautoka. The married man, who has a son, faced multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault and one count each of rape and sexual assault, all linked to incidents that took place over four years ago.

The court heard that these crimes occurred at the defendant’s home in Rakiraki while his wife was out dropping their child off at school. Another incident transpired when the victim asked her uncle for a ride to visit her cousin in Ba. Instead of taking her there, he drove her to Lautoka, where they met a mechanic who brought along a carton of beer. After consuming alcohol, the victim fell asleep in the vehicle. Upon waking, she discovered her intoxicated uncle assaulting her. Despite witnessing the assault, the mechanic chose not to intervene and returned to his home.

The victim managed to escape by kicking her uncle, which left him unconscious. Justice Aruna Aluthge emphasized that the defense’s claims were unconvincing and expressed belief in the credibility of the victim’s account, stating that there was no evidence suggesting she fabricated her claims.

This case highlights the importance of believing and supporting survivors of sexual assault and demonstrates that the legal system is capable of addressing such serious allegations. It sends a strong message about accountability, particularly for individuals in positions of trust and authority.

Summary: A Lautoka pastor was convicted for sexually assaulting his niece, with evidence supporting the victim’s allegations and highlighting failures of bystanders to intervene. The case reinforces the need for vigilance and support for survivors of sexual violence.