Rwanda National Police

Police has called for more efforts towards child protection after a man in Gatsibo District was arrested for allegedly defiling a three-year old girl.

Samuel Temahagari, 18, is said to have defiled the girl on March 9, when she had wandered away to Temahagari’s neighbouring home.

“The suspect was alone at home when the child wandered into the house in the afternoon and preliminary investigations indicate that this is the time the suspect forced himself on the girl,” Eastern region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, said.

“When the child went back home, her parents noticed that she was sick and on checking her, they realized that she had been defiled. They immediately reported to Police but as part of the investigations, we took her to Kiziguro Hospital and medical results came out positive," he added.

According to IP Kayigi, the suspect confessed to the crime, when arrested. He is currently held at Kiramuruzi Police Station.

Article 191 of the Penal Code says that any person who commits child defilement shall be liable to life imprisonment.

“This heinous crime must never be tolerated. Such people are in every society. Parents and guardians must also watch out and protect their children at all time,” IP Kayigi said.

“Timely information must always be availed to Police so that we help victims and gather evidence before it is tampered with. Parents should also learnt to break silence and report such inhuman acts and this way, justice will be served and it victims rehabilitated,” he noted.

Police established a toll free number – 3512 – where information from the public concerning sexual and gender-related crimes can be reported so that immediate action commences.

Important as well, the anti-GBV and Child Protection Directorate advises that even though one may have a strong desire to shower after being violated, they must first see a doctor in order to provide fresh enough evidence against the accused.

Although sexual and gender-related crimes have decreased tremendously, Police statistics indicate that they are still among major crimes committed in the country.

According to figures from the RNP, anti-GBV and child protection directorate, a total of 3,127 cases of defilement were registered between 2012 and 2013. At least 325 cases of rape were also recorded in the same period.