15-Year-Old Rape Victim Sentenced To 100 Lashes For Pre-Marital Sex After Getting Impregnated By Her Stepfather
A 15-year-old rape victim has been sentenced to 100 lashes for engaging in premarital sex in Maldives.
The charges against the girl were brought against her when last year, police began investigating allegations that her stepfather had repeatedly raped her, got her pregnant and killed their baby after a baby was found buried on the island of Feydhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, the BBC reports.
During questioning, the alleged rape victim reportedly admitted to having sex with another man, who has not been identified, arrested or charged. So, she' being punished for that.
Zaima Nasheed, a spokesperson for the juvenile court, said the girl was also ordered to remain under house arrest at a children's home for eight months.
She defended the punishment, saying the girl had willingly committed an act outside of the law.Officials said she would receive the punishment when she turns 18, unless she requested it earlier.
Her stepfather is still to face trial. The girl's mother also faces charges for failing to report the abuse to the authorities.
The Maldives -- an island nation located in the Indian Ocean -- is a popular tourist destination, but the country has faced criticism for its Islamic fundamentalism and practice of Sharia law.
BBC
