A "rape victim" will receive 100 lashes after engaging in pre-marital sex. On Feb. 27, Mail Online reported that the 15-year-old had sex with her step-father secretly and must now pay for her actions. The girl and her step-father's dirty secret was discovered last summer after the body of a baby that the girl had given birth too was discovered buried outside of their home in the Maldives.
After her 18th birthday, the girl will receive her punishment. Until then, she remains on house arrest. According to the report, the Maldivian government has been pleading with the court, trying to get them to lessen the girl's sentence, claiming that she was "traumatized" enough by the rape.
The rape victim will receive 100 lashes if the court does not sway on their decision. It is believed that girl was having sex with her step-father willingly, but given her age and the circumstance, she may have had no other choice. This is a case of statutory rape regardless of whether or not the girl "knew" what she was doing. She could have felt pressured or have been brainwashed -- which is the government's point.
"Victims of rape or other forms of sexual abuse should be given counseling and support – not charged with a crime. Flogging is a violation of the absolute prohibition on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment," said a spokesperson.
While the rape victim faces 100 lashes, it is possible that her step-father won't be punished at all.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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