Sex crimes worrying
The National, Tuesday 11th June 2013
A NATIONAL court judge is concerned about the sexual abuse of children in East New Britain.
Justice Salatiel Lenalia highlighted this concern last Thursday when sentencing a man (name withheld) to five years in prison for sexually touching his cousin sister.
Lenalia said there had been an outcry in the country to increase punishment for sexual offences.
“The theme of sexual abuse of our women and young girls whether under the age of 12 or above is being seriously and adequately addressed by the Parliament,” he said.
Lenalia said it resulted in the amendment to the Criminal Code (Sexual Offences and Crimes against children) Act of 2002.
“This Act provides for all forms of sexual abuse including sexual touching, sexual penetration, indecent acts directed at children, persistent sexual abuse, prostitution and child pornography,” he said.
The court found the man guilty of two counts of sexual touching.
Lenalia sentenced him to five years but suspended three years on the condition that he be on good behaviour after he served two years.