22 Dec 2010

Appeal urged in Vanuatu child rape case

9:46 pm on 22 December 2010

The Vanuatu Women's Centre will urge the public prosecutor to appeal in the case of a man who escaped a jail term for raping a ten-year old girl.

The 30-year old nurse pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court at Luganville and was given a suspended sentence.

Merilyn Tahi has joined other Pacific groups fighting violence against women in condemning the lenient sentence.

"W e feel very strongly that this case should be looked up again because we feel that sexual assault warrants very heavy sentencing so we want it to be appealed because it could be a precedent for the future."

Merilyn Tahi of the Vanuatu Women's Centre