BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
A young man, 20, is on the run after allegedly raping a six-year-old girl on May 7 this year.
And, police are appealing to the man to turn himself in.
Police are also appealing to communities to assist in the search for the suspect.
The incident occurred in a village in Central Kwara’ae, Malaita province.
Speaking yesterday during the police weekly media conference Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said the suspect escaped straight after he committed the offence.
Ms Leta said on the day of the incident the victim with two other girls her age were out at the seaside of that village in Central Kwaraae looking for ngali-nut.
On their way back they met the suspect, and he lured them to follow him fishing.
The children then followed the suspect to the beachside and the suspect went fishing while the victim and others were playing.
Police then alleged that after some time at the beach fishing, the suspect then asked the victim to follow him into the cocoa plantation to find worm for bait.
It was during that time the alleged incident happened.
Police in Malaita were informed by the mother of the victim and investigation is ongoing, Leta said.
She said the suspect is 20 years old and is alleged to have escaped after committing the offence on the six-year-old victim.
Leta calls on the communities if they have information of the whereabouts of the suspect to assist police in their investigation.
Leta said citizens of this country must respect young girls and children from such occurrences as such incidents continue to occur on underage girls and women, which is not acceptable.
She also said mothers must not trust men and young boys to look after their children, but make sure always take extra care before leaving their children alone or with men.
Leta also said that police alone cannot address the issue but with the support of communities including village chiefs’ and stakeholders hopefully it will reduce the rising sexual offences against women and girls.
