By Mohamed Massaquoi
Police in the Southern district of Pujehun are currently investigating a case involving an alleged child sexual abuse.
The case involves an eight year old girl who reportedly fell ill after she was abused.
Sheku Samura, Crime Officer at the Pujehun main district police division headquarters, told Politico that the matter was reported on February 2.
The incident is reported to have occurred in Helebu Village in Pejeh Chiefdom. Samura said the complainant, Fatorma Kallon, told the police that the alleged penetration took place on the 31st January.
But the police say preliminary investigation indicates that the alleged crime happened before the date indicated in complainant’s statement. The family members of the victim are thought to have reported the matter only when the girl fell ill.
Samura also lamented the fact that the complainant had not been cooperating with the police in the investigation. He said since the complainant left the police station, they have not set eyes on her and that all efforts to reach her had proven unsuccessful.
According to the police, the unidentified suspect was on the run, and the community people didn’t seem willing to give out any information that could help the police to arrest him.
The police have however vowed to identify and capture him.
Lahai Koroma, Line Manager of the Family Support Unit in Pujehun, said cases of sexual penetration were on the increase in that part of the country, and he blamed it partly on a culture of compromise by the community people.
(C) Politico 25/02/16
