The sexual and gender Based Violence (SGBV) desk at Atiak Police Station in Amuru district is holding an 18-year-old man over the alleged aggravated defilement of an 8-year-old female juvenile.

Samuel Opira, a resident of Pacilo West Village, Pacilo Parish, in Atiak sub-county was arrested after he was accused of having defiled the minor on July 18, 2023.

Aswa River Police region spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said the case of defilement was reported by the father of the victim.

Mudong said a statement obtained from the father of the victim and an uncle to the suspect, it is alleged that on July 18, 2023, Opira, who was at home with the victim, lured her to a nearby bush and defiled her.

Ongom said that subsequently when the father of the victim returned home and found his daughter crying with her clothes stained with blood, he rushed her to Yala-yala Secret Heart Health Centre II. It is at this facility that the victim allegedly revealed to her sister and a nurse how the suspect sexually abused her in the bush.

Upon examination, Police said, the nurse discovered that the victim's private parts were torn and still bleeding which prompted her to contact the Police.

According to the spokesperson, Opira is pending an examination on Police Form 24a to determine his mental health. A case of aggravated defilement has been registered under vide CRB:69/2023

Upon conclusion of inquiries, Mudong said, the case file shall be submitted to the resident state attorney for perusal and further legal guidance.

He said once the file is sanctioned, the suspect shall be produced in courts of Law to answer the alleged charge.

What is aggravated defilement?

Defilement is aggravated in nature if an adult performs sexual intercourse with a very young child (between days old to 14 years). Other circumstances include if the offender (adult) is HIV-positive; is a blood relative to the victim and/or is in authority over the child e.g. a parent, an uncle, aunt etc.

Also considered in the passing of the aggravated defilement sentence is if the offender is a person with authority over the victim such as a teacher or where the victim (child) is a person with a disability or where the offender is a serial offender.

On conviction at the High Court, such a person is liable to suffer death.