BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti recently raised issues and questions on the welfare of victims of rape and other serious sexual offences, in light of backlog of cases at the Central Magistrate Court.
Ms Beneteti called for more professional support, advice and help for victims of rape and serious sexual offenses- their right to receive support services.
On Monday and Tuesday this week, she presided over two rape cases at the Magistrate court room 1, where both of these cases came for mention.
The Principal Magistrate, in court, stressed that most victims really need counselling and other psychological therapies and it’s best that when they come to court, victims need to be asked of these questions.
She made the comments in the context of a victim who was 9 months into her pregnancy.
Likewise, the Principal Magistrate also suggested that it is not only the victims that needs to be asked of counselling but also the defendants.
She told parties that “these are safeguards that we must ensure”.
All rape and serious sexual offence cases are reviewed by the sexual assault unit.
On Tuesday, March 17, prosecuting counsel Grace Chow, was asked by principal magistrate, as to how many personal the sexual assault unit has – to which she confirmed 5 to 6 officers in total.
Beneteti reiterated in court that more efforts on the part of the police officers is required to boost personal, in tackling serious sexual offences in the country.
The Principal Magistrate, also took time to respond to issues raised in court by Prosecuting counsel, on investigations being halted due to lack of police vehicle.
However, the principal Magistrate took judicial notice of the fact that the police are the most resourceful in terms of donated vehicles.
Therefore, it is no good that the backlog of cases was created because of transport issues.
One would not need to look far, “just look at the roads, every five to ten minutes, you would see a passing police vehicle of all rainbow colors”, Beneteti said.
Thus, she was of the view that serious sexual offense like rape, needs to be taken of more seriously when matters are before the court.
The principal Magistrate, informed both the prosecution and defence lawyers both on Monday and Tuesday this week, that she still has the guts to speak out, because she just resumed duties from holiday, and has all the energy to talk on these issues.
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