Defilers infect 55 girls with HIV
Dec 24, 2010
FIFTY-five girls below the age of 12 have contracted HIV/AIDS in Tororo district after being defiled this year. A total of 276 girls were defiled in the district between January to September this year.
FIFTY-five girls below the age of 12 have contracted HIV/AIDS in Tororo district after being defiled this year. A total of 276 girls were defiled in the district between January to September this year.
By Moses Nampala
FIFTY-five girls below 12 years have contracted HIV/AIDS after being defiled between January and September in Tororo district.
The district officer in charge of criminal investigations, Isabella Amejja, on Wednesday said about 276 girls were defiled in the district, adding that 65% of them were below 12 years.
She explained that the new procedural rule in handling sex related offences had enabled the Police to establish the health status of both the victim the culprits.
“We are compelled by the new policy to subject both the victims and culprits to HIV/AIDS tests as soon as the matter is reported to us,†Amejja explained.
She said charges of aggravated defilement had been preferred against the culprits, who are remanded at Morukatipe Prison.
Tororo district Police commander Joseph Engwedu said when a case of defilement is reported, the victim is issued with a medical Police form.
He added that after filing the case, the victims are usually referred to an HIV/AIDS clinic for tests.
The regional Police surgeon, Dr. Barnabas Rubanza, said a victim defiled by a culprit infected with HIV /AIDS is subjected to Post exposure HIV/AIDS prevention treatment within 72 hours from the time she was sexually abused.
He further explained that the essence of this treatment, which lasts for a month, is to prevent multiplication of the HIV/AIDS virus in the body of the victim.
Rubanza, however, added that 95% of the victims are unable to meet the medical requirement of accessing treatment within the stipulated 72 hours due to numerous factors.
“Ninety-five percent of the victims get infected due to frustration by junior Police officers handling the cases. They want to extort money from relatives of suspects,†Rubanza explained.
“Some parents or guardians of the victims are unable to act swiftly because very often cannot afford transport fares to the hospital,†he added.
Apart from contracting HIV/AIDS, Rubanza said victims are often infected with gonorrhea and syphilis.
He said other traumatising effects on the victim include elaborate ruptures that stretch from the genital to the anal area.
Amejja said on average, 40 defilement cases are registered at the Tororo Central Police Station per month.
She, however, added that to check the vice, the Police, in partnership with local FM radio stations, have come up with intervention measures.
“We have been offered free air time to educate and sensitise the community about sexual abuse,†she said.
Other measures include community out-reach meetings.
“We hope this will go a long way to reduce the crime,†Amejja said.
By Moses Nampala
FIFTY-five girls below 12 years have contracted HIV/AIDS after being defiled between January and September in Tororo district.
The district officer in charge of criminal investigations, Isabella Amejja, on Wednesday said about 276 girls were defiled in the district, adding that 65% of them were below 12 years.
She explained that the new procedural rule in handling sex related offences had enabled the Police to establish the health status of both the victim the culprits.
“We are compelled by the new policy to subject both the victims and culprits to HIV/AIDS tests as soon as the matter is reported to us,†Amejja explained.
She said charges of aggravated defilement had been preferred against the culprits, who are remanded at Morukatipe Prison.
Tororo district Police commander Joseph Engwedu said when a case of defilement is reported, the victim is issued with a medical Police form.
He added that after filing the case, the victims are usually referred to an HIV/AIDS clinic for tests.
The regional Police surgeon, Dr. Barnabas Rubanza, said a victim defiled by a culprit infected with HIV /AIDS is subjected to Post exposure HIV/AIDS prevention treatment within 72 hours from the time she was sexually abused.
He further explained that the essence of this treatment, which lasts for a month, is to prevent multiplication of the HIV/AIDS virus in the body of the victim.
Rubanza, however, added that 95% of the victims are unable to meet the medical requirement of accessing treatment within the stipulated 72 hours due to numerous factors.
“Ninety-five percent of the victims get infected due to frustration by junior Police officers handling the cases. They want to extort money from relatives of suspects,†Rubanza explained.
“Some parents or guardians of the victims are unable to act swiftly because very often cannot afford transport fares to the hospital,†he added.
Apart from contracting HIV/AIDS, Rubanza said victims are often infected with gonorrhea and syphilis.
He said other traumatising effects on the victim include elaborate ruptures that stretch from the genital to the anal area.
Amejja said on average, 40 defilement cases are registered at the Tororo Central Police Station per month.
She, however, added that to check the vice, the Police, in partnership with local FM radio stations, have come up with intervention measures.
“We have been offered free air time to educate and sensitise the community about sexual abuse,†she said.
Other measures include community out-reach meetings.
“We hope this will go a long way to reduce the crime,†Amejja said.