Work with us on rape

By Rebecca Kuku
THE public must stop doing nothing about the continuous growing problem of sexual abuse and rape of women and children in the country.
“Every week sexual abuses are reported. Don’t just complain, the public must help check and deter such crimes,” National Capital District Metropolitan Police Supt Pero N’dranou said.
He, thus, applauded the decision by Justice Panuel Mogish to jail a man for 80 years for raping his daughter for 12 years.
“Such a harsh sentencing is both timely and much needed to deter would be rapists,” he added.
Yesterday, The National front paged Justice Mogish’s, pictured, sentencing of a 46-year-old man who was described as a “monster” by his daughter.
“It took 12 years for the rapes to be exposed,” N’dranou said.
“Please lodge police reports swiftly so that we can act effectively to gather the evidence against the sexual offenders.
“Work with us, help keep an eye or lookout for such abuses while the media and communities can also chip in to help raise awareness and address the problem.”
N’dranou said that every week there were reports of sexual offenses reported at police stations throughout the city.
“It’s sickening to see my weekly crime briefs littered with rape cases,” he said.
“From February 11 to February 17, there were 11 reports of sexual offences, 4 from February 18 to 24 and six from February 25 to March 3.
“Don’t you think it’s time we all start working together to help fight sexual abuse in homes and communities.”
N’dranou said police had been conducting campaigns against sexual abuse in various communities in the city but “we need the support of the media as well”.
“If the media comes with me and report these campaigns, it will reach out to more people,” he said, adding that both the victim and police officers must ensure that the reports are accurate so that the cases don’t get thrown out by the courts.
“Most times, rape suspects walk free because the information or facts are inaccurate or insufficient,” he said.
N’Dranou also urged family members, friends and communities to not hesitatereport incest and incestuous rape.
“Failing to report the perpetrators is to encourage incest or such sexual abuse,” he said, adding that incest is not often reported due to shame.
“But I am appealing to the family members, friends and communities who suspect such sexual abuses to report and help prevent or stop it,” he added.
He said: “When such cases go unreported, the victims tend to lose hope and the perpetrator will continue or carry on with the crime.”