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Senate Cites Ministers of Justice, Health & Gender over increase cases of Rape

The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has cited the Ministers of Justice, Health, along with Gender and Children Protection to response to inquiries by Senators on the growing waves of Rape and Domestic Violence across the Country.

The Senate decision on Thursday February 3, 2022 resulted from a communication written to the August Body by Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee K. Lawrence for the three Ministers to appear next week Tuesday before its full Plenary.

In her communication, Senator Lawrence brought to the Senate’s attention specifically the alarming incidents of rape in the Country, which she noted in some instances has led to the death of victims.

She added that what is even more disheartening is the recent situation involving a 13 year old girl who was raped to death by a 37 year old man in Central Monrovia, and most regrettably, a three year old baby who was also recently raped in the Soul Clinic Community by a 17 year old boy.

The Grand Bassa County Senator who is also the Chairperson of the Senate’s Statutory Committee on Rules, Order and Administration re-echoed the need for preventive awareness, access to information and enforcement as possible solutions to mitigate the menace of rape in the Country.

At the same time she added that urgent steps are needed for intervention in such devilish acts, thereby, calling on her Colleagues to take some appropriate steps to protect women and children against further victimization by those “cold-blooded” predators and rapists.

Based on the aforementioned, Senator Lawrence craved the indulgence of Plenary to cite the relevant authorities from the Ministries of Justice, Gender and Children Protection, and Health to appear before the Liberian Senate and provide update on the challenges on “awareness and implementation of the rape law, report on rape cases in the Country, as well as programs and recommendations on strengthening the rape law”, among others.

In conclusion, Lawmaker Lawrence referenced her January 31, 2021 communication in which she informed the Senate at the time that despite the passage into law of the Rape and Domestic Violence Acts, with the inclusion of a “non-billable” component, the issues of both rape and other forms of domestic violence continue to permeate the Liberian society with little solution being applied in dealing with the situation.

Senator Lawrence ended by saying, in her January’s Communication, she informed the Senate’s Plenary about an incoming legislation intended to strengthen the implementation of the rape law with coordinated efforts.

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