Child abuse

POLICE yesterday arrested a 15-year-old high school student on accusations of raping an 11-year-old girl at her home in Banteay Meanchey province’s Sisophon district.

Sith Los, director of the provincial office of anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection, said the suspect, who abused the victim while her mother was out of the house working, had been being held at the provincial prison to await his appearance in court.

“The victim’s mother went to work in the rice field. She normally always takes her daughter with her, but unfortunately she left her daughter at home this time,” he said.

“When the mother returned home she found her daughter crying and she told her what happened.”

Rem Virak, the Sisophon district police chief, said the suspect tried to evade arrest but was brought in by police after a short time on the run.

Sith Los said the suspect “admitted to the crime and said he raped the girl because she was staying by herself and because he was drunk”.

Sum Chankea, provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, said that leaving children at home by themselves is often risky, as most cases of rape occur to children in such situations.