The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has revealed troubling statistics regarding sexual offences recorded in recent weeks. In total, 34 counts of sexual offences were filed against 22 accused individuals during the past month, four of whom were juveniles.
A significant aspect of these cases is the age of the victims; among the 19 reported victims, 13 were under the age of 18. Among the victims, there were 16 females and three males, highlighting a concerning trend. Several incidents involved familial relationships between the accused and victims, including cases where a 17-year-old was charged with raping his 8-year-old cousin and another 17-year-old charged with raping his 14-year-old cousin sister.
Additionally, a 15-year-old boy faced charges for the rape of a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old boy was charged with both rape and sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy. Disturbingly, there were nine incidents in which the accused and the victims were related.
Older offenders also faced serious charges, including a 45-year-old man charged with raping his 5-year-old daughter and a 48-year-old man charged with incest and sexual assault of his 18-year-old daughter. Further complicating the situation, a 74-year-old man was charged with sexual assault and indecent assault of his 5-year-old granddaughter.
The issue of sexual offences, particularly those involving minors and familial ties, continues to be a pressing concern for authorities, raising calls for improved protective measures for vulnerable populations. The ODPP is emphasizing the need for vigilance and support systems to help address this pervasive issue within the community.