Any sexual assault offences committed since May 2016 will now be dealt with under the Penal Code (Sexual Offences) (amendment) Act 2016 which attracts maximum penalties from 25 years to life imprisonment.
Some sexual assault cases or offences include rape, attempted rape, incest, indecent act and child commercial exploitation.
Detective Constable Catherine Hoiau of the Sexual Assault Unit explained in a recent edition of the ‘Polis blo iu and iu’ radio program on SIBC that the Unit, which is inside the RSIPF’s National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), specialises in the investigations into sexual related offences or crimes.
“This Unit is one of the important units within the RSIPF that deals with offences or problems which directly involves the human body especially women and girls. And most importantly, we also deal with vulnerable and very traumatised victims which also includes women and girls with disabilities,” said Detective Constable Hoiau.
A total of 47 cases of sexual assault were reported to the Sexual Assault Unit in Honiara during 2016.
RSIPF wishes to appeal to members of our communities to report to their local police if they believe or they have witnessed any sexual offence is going to or has happened inside their family or their community. Report such incidences quickly and don’t leave it too long because it might be too late.
If the public has any sexual assault case to report please call 23666 or the toll free 999 or call the Sexual Assault Unit on 21383 or 21226