Rapists deserve harsh punishment - Dansua

Accra, Jan. 20, GNA - Ms Akua Dansua, MP for North Dayi and Minority Spokesperson on Gender and Children in Parliament on Friday condemned the increasing spate of child defilement and abuse and called for punitive action for perpetrators of such acts.

She wondered whether the laws of the country on such acts were not punitive enough to deter such perpetrators whom one could described as social perverts from committing such crimes.

Ms Dansua said this in a statement read on behalf of the Women Caucus in Parliament on Child Defilement and Abuse. "If such laws are not punitive enough then we should be thinking of reviewing them to ensure that they are harsh to deter would be perpetrators."

She referred to the gory and chilling case of a 7-year-old girl whose 60-year grandfather repeatedly raped her leaving her in a medical condition that almost resulted in her death. "Apart from this girl requiring emergency surgery to restore her ability to pass urine and defecate, the rather shattering information on her is that she is HIV positive."

Ms Dansua said the poor girl's case coupled with the numerous cases that continued to be reported in the media as well as those that went unreported for obvious reasons were becoming more and more alarming and one could not but wonder why these horrible and disgusting incidences occurred.

"Mr Speaker, one also wonders what legal system there is in this country that exposes victims such as this 7-year-old girl to double jeopardy because instead of a speedy trial such as hers the court will still allow for adjournments." "The poor girl would have to travel all the way from Accra to Kumasi each time the case is to be heard and we are told that after each such journey, the poor girl's condition deteriorates and she bleeds." Ms Dansua humbly appealed to the Speaker to urge the Chief Justice to take a personal interest in the case and ensure its expeditious trial with the perpetrator brought to book.

"Whilst this House condemns this heinous act by this 60-year old social pervert, we should also direct the Department of Social Welfare to immediately take custody of the girl and provide the necessary care for her since her Auntie who now takes care of her has openly indicated that due to financial constraints, she is unable to even buy the dressings for her wound."