Bethal Police arrested a 30-year-old man for statutory rape after they learnt that he was having sexual intercourse with his 14-year old girlfriend.
This came after the girl’s uncle went through her cell phone and found conversations she had with the suspect.
Const Thomas Mogadime, communications and social crime prevention officer of Bethal Police, said the uncle then had a talk with his niece and she confessed that she was having a sexual relationship with the man.
“She said the man sent her a message in 2020 already after he saw her photos on social media,” said Const Mogadime.
The girl’s uncle also found a message from the man on his niece’s cell phone where he asked her when the next date to have sexual intercourse will be.
When the uncle confronted her, she told him that she had been dating the 30-year-old man since 2020 and they had sexual intercourse for the first time when she was still 13 years old.
Const Mogadime outlined statutory rape as a crime that involves sexual contact with a person who is under the age specified by law, commonly referred to as the ‘age of consent’.
“The legal term for the crime varies and includes sexual intercourse with a minor, sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual penetration of a minor or a child under a certain age, and sexual abuse of a minor,” said Const Mogadime.
He urged teenagers to focus on their studies instead of focusing on sexual relationships and also to refrain from things that will destroy their futures.
He also warned older men that having sexual affairs with a teenager can lead to them being arrested for statutory rape and they could face prison sentences.
“Teenage girls are not women, statutory rape must end,” said Const Mogadime.
“Even if the younger person is a willing partner, it is still statutory rape and even if both partners are under the age of consent, it is still statutory rape and both can be charged.
“The statutory rape laws are meant to protect children and teenagers from predatory adults.
“The crime of statutory rape has been controversial because, historically, it has been applied primarily or exclusively to relationships where the girl is under-aged.”
