Cases of sexual abuse and early marriage rising in Western Equatoria

4 Mar 2015

Cases of sexual abuse and early marriage rising in Western Equatoria

4 March 2015 - Cases of rape as well as sexual exploitation and abuse are showing up on a daily basis at the police station in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, officers said today.

According to Marcelina Moses, head of Child Protection in Yambio County Police Station, rape, abuse and sexual assault on minors have taken the lead in crimes reported to her section.

She said three girls of only three years old had been raped in 2014. Last week, Radio Miraya reported that another three-year-old child had been raped.

Justin Ebere, Director General of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said sexual exploitation and child abuse were on the rise in the state. “It is affecting children generally, not only the girl child, and the abuses are … rape, incest, prostitution and child marriage.”

The Director General stressed that offenders, including parents, must be severely punished.

“The abuses constitute an offense under the laws of South Sudan and anybody who commits such an offense is liable for imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years,” he said.

“Under another section, anybody has a responsibility to report such an abuse but … many people are witnesses to these crimes and they are not reporting and the sentence for not reporting is seven years imprisonment,” he added.

Mr. Ebere called on citizens and authorities to take steps in fighting sexual exploitation and abuse.

“I think now it is about the other levels within the criminal procedures that need to pull up their socks and to take their responsibilities to ensure that the crimes are being reduced,” Mr. Ebere said. Otherwise … it is going to create a spiral of violence and counter violence.”