Girl (5) Raped In Rusape Pentecostal Church
A sixteen-year-old male juvenile was allegedly caught raping a five-year-old girl in a Rusape Pentecostal church recently.
The suspect, who cannot be named since he is also a minor, was allegedly caught red-handed by a student pastor, Kudakwashe Mutangi, reported The Manica Post.
The suspect was photographed at the crime scene before being surrendered to Rusape Central Police Station.
The church building is still under construction and is situated adjacent to a popular pub.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) acting spokesperson Sergeant Theresa Maruza told The Manica Post that she wanted to get finer details on the case before commenting.
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A police officer who declined to be named told the publication that investigations are in progress. Said the police officer:
It is true that the case was reported here. I think they are doing due diligence because there is a procedure that has to be followed when dealing with minor accused persons.
The liberty of the minor takes precedence and under the circumstances, the police cannot detain the suspect in custody.
The suspect was therefore released into the custody of his parent or guardian.
Pastor Mutangi is cited as saying he had gone to the church with a colleague for an afternoon prayer, only for him to bump into the teenager raping the girl.
He said the suspect tried to run away through an open window while naked, but they quickly restrained him.
A used condom was retrieved from the scene. Said Mutangi:
We passed through one of our churches in Vengere for an afternoon prayer session, but we were shocked to come face-to-face with the suspect raping the little girl in the church.
The suspect was completely naked and was busy in the act when we entered the building.
He tried to jump through the window, but we ordered him to stop. I rushed to grab his clothes, which were by the corner so that he could not run away naked.
This is a place of worship and it was disrespectful for the suspect to sexually abuse the defenceless victim in the church.
There was a used condom with semen by the window seal.
Pastor Mutangi said he called the resident pastor who used his car to ferry the suspect and the victim to Rusape Central Police Station.
Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) has suggested the following measures to protect children from sexual abuse:
- Encourage open communication with your children early in their development.
- Teach him/her to tell you about any physical contact initiated by an adult and to trust you with problems and emotions.
- Let the child know that they can talk to you about problems and concerns without you reacting and getting angry.
- Urge your children to tell you about anyone who hurts or scares them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Pay careful attention to persons around your children. Keep in mind that even ‘nice’ people, people you trust, can do mean, hurtful or wrong things.
- Trust your instincts. Refuse to leave your children in the company of those you do not trust, no matter who that person is.
- Include information about sexual assault when teaching your children about safety.
- Teach your children, as early as possible, to care for their own needs, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet.
- Give your children permission to refuse to obey an older child or adult if they believe what is happening is wrong.
More: Pindula News
