RAPED IN CHURCH

The child told police that she was staying at her godmother’s home for the Easter holidays and was invited by relatives to attend a Baptist church where prayers were being held in commemoration of Holy Week. The girl said while at the service, she was approached by a man who invited her into a private area inside the church where he committed several indecent acts against her. She said she tried to scream but the man used one of his hands to cover her mouth.

Police were told by the girl that she was threatened by the man to not say anything to anyone.

The victim said she never told her godmother anything because she felt ashamed and afraid but because the incident began affecting her mentally and physically, she decided to confide in her mother.

Officers of the Child Protection Unit were called in and the girl was interviewed and taken to a district medical officer where she was examined. The doctor confirmed that the girl was a victim of sexual assault.

She was expected to be taken back to the scene of the incident yesterday for photographs to be taken and the scene to be processed.

Yesterday a search began for the suspect who is believed to be a member of the church.

When police went to the church on Saturday, one church member was flabbergasted that such an act took place on the compound and remarked that the devil is stalking the land. The girl is expected to receive counselling from officers of the Victim and Witness Support Unit of the Police Service.