By Mabinty M. KAMARA
The father of a 13year-old girl who was allegedly raped has complained about the delay by the Sierra Leone Police to prosecute the case.
The concerned parent told Politico that the police had demonstrated “negligence” in handling his daughter’s case since the incident occurred almost two months ago. He expressed frustration after repeatedly checking up with the police on the progress of the case.
“The way the police have dragged this issue till date without it being charged to court has been very frustrating and discouraging. But we will continue to be patient. I have called them to inform them that the result from the Rainbow Center is now ready. Since I am the one that is affected, I will now wait and see what comes next," he said.
The victim, who is partially deaf and mute, was allegedly raped by 27 year old Joseph Samuel Bassie on the 10th of October this year in Kossoh Town, Jui in the east end of Freetown (our previous report erroneously indicated that the incident occurred in Graton, which is close to Jui).
Two laboratory tests were conducted by the Rainbow Center, first to ascertain whether penetration (rape) did occur, and according to the parent, the test did prove that penetration took place. The second test was meant to ascertain whether the victim contracted any sexually transmitted disease as a result of the assault.
The report for the last test, which is what the Police need to charge the case to court, has lasted longer than expected. But according to the victim’s father, that report had been out since two weeks ago, but he said the Police were yet to collect it even after he called them to inform them about it.
Throughout the course of our investigation, the Police have consistently refused to talk to Politico on the progress of the case. Since the incident happened, the alleged perpetrator has been arrested twice and released.
The victim’s father said he had heard rumors that Bassie had gone in to hiding since his last release. He also said that several attempts have been made by the family of the alleged perpetrator to have him compromise the case.
“I learned that the boy has been released long ago and it is rumored that the boy has gone into hiding after he was released on bail,” he told Politico on Saturday.
This case has illustrated the sad reality about police complaisance in delay in investigating sexual and gender-based violence cases, which has led to the discontinuation of many such cases.
In October, First Lady Fatima Bio raised this concern when she called out the police for their lackluster attitude towards rape investigations.
“The Family Support Units across the country are full of criminals who frustrate efforts in fighting the menace,” she said at the launch of her Hands Off our Girls campaign in the southern district of Pujehun.
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