A MAN has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping his 17 year-old daughter on two occasions in 2016.
The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim has been convicted of two counts of rape after a trial at the High Court.
Deputy Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer in his sentencing remarks highlighted that there has been an unprecedented increase in the commission of sexual offences against young girls and children in recent times.
He added that numerous concerns have been expressed about this abnormal increase in this type of offending in our society.
“The courts have a duty to respond to this widespread public concern in the community by ensuring that fair and just penalties are imposed that will send a clear message of both general and specific deterrence to the community that those who offend will expect an immediate lengthy custodial sentence if convicted,” Sir Albert said.
The first incident happened on 25 August 2016 and the second one on 6 September 2016 at a secondary school in Isabel.
On both occasions, the victim went to her father’s house located at the school’s compound to look for food when the offending occurred.
The victim had been introduced to the defendant sometime in 2002 and went to live with him and his family in 2013 at a secondary school in Makira.
It was heard that the defendant made special arrangements to have his daughter stay with him and his family to enable her to attend school.
The victim was the defendant’s first child born from a relationship he had with the mother of the victim in his early years while working as an agriculture officer at the village where the mother came from.
The victim followed the defendant when he transferred to teach at another secondary school in Makira in 2014 and 2015 where she attended forms 1 and 2.
In 2016, she went to continue with her studies in the fourth form at a secondary school in Isabel Province.
The defendant was transferred to teach at that same school in 2016.
Sir Albert said the defendant was in a position of power, authority, trust, and had a duty of care towards the victim.
“The victim in turn is entitled to rely on him for her safety, protection, well-being, love and affection as a father.
“In fact, the evidence adduced showed that she was raped at the times when she had gone to her father’s house for food as she was hungry,” Sir Albert said.
He added that the victim was at boarding school where her father was a teacher and during her break times on those two occasions she had decided to go to her father’s house for food.
“The first incident occurred during morning break from school, while the second incident occurred after her prep, (study) time in the evening.
“On both occasions, he took advantage of her vulnerability and abused his position of power and authority and raped her.”
Sir Albert said the victim had told the court that she was ashamed by what the defendant had done to her.
He said not only did his selfish actions would have corrupted her innocence and dignity as a young person, but would have also caused so much distress, and any harm caused may take a long time to heal.
“The social stigma attached to this type of offending will continue for a long time with her as well.
“Being raped by one’s own father breaches cultural norms and taboos and will bring a lot of shame and embarrassment to the victim and her family.”
Sir Albert had imposed 11 years imprisonment for each of the rape charges.
He then ordered that they run concurrently which means the defendant will serve 11 years in jail.
The time the defendant spent in custody was ordered to be deducted from the total sentence.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN BONGIDANI
Newsroom, Honiara
