Ganta, Nimba County – Kelvin Davis, 39, is accused of sodomizing an eight-year old boy in Hope Village, Ganta Nimba County, and has been detained in Sanniquellie undergoing court trial.
According to Alexander Franklin, the Deputy Commander at the Women and Children Unit of the Liberia National Police in Ganta, the community residents turned Kelvin over to the Police when caught with the survivor on the night of August 5, 2017.
Suspect Davis who admitted carrying out the crime, reportedly informed the Police during investigation that he was under the influence of alcohol when the incident happened during the evening hours, when nobody was in the house with the child.
Accordingly, the Police revealed that the suspect was arrested immediately after the minor who was lying across a bench in front of their house screamed in pain thereby leading the community dwellers to rush on the scene.
Meanwhile, the Ganta General Market Superintendent, Tannie Youhn, who confirmed the act said, there were several cases of sodomy in that part of the region but they are rarely revealed or reported because nobody is brave to point at a suspect.
Madam Youhn also noted that even if a witness should report said matter, nobody will stand with you in court or before the Police for investigation.
Following a visit to the Sanniquellie Central Prison, the correction officer informed journalists that they needed to get a permit from the court before seeing the perpetrator as the case is still pending.
A reliable source who preferred not to be named also informed reporters that the victim and his parent had relocated to another county due to discrimination and stigma from the community members and friends.
This story is published in collaboration with the UN Women Capacity Training on Harmful traditional practices.