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Man in Samoa sentenced to 15 years for raping sister

APIA, Samoa — A man has been jailed for 15 years after he was convicted of raping his biological sister who’s 12 years old.

Sentencing was handed down by Justice Vui Clarence Nelson earlier this week. Justice Nelson noted that the sacred covenant between a brother and sister was “fully ripped apart” when the man committed the ultimate crime of raping his sister, according to Samoa Observer.

Justice Nelson ordered to suppress the names of the defendant and his sister to protect the identity of the victim and noted that the crime was committed against the victim when she was just 12 years old.

“Raping a sibling is very serious, not only in the eyes of the Western law but the cultural law that has governed this country for centuries,” said Justice Vui.

Samoa Observer reports that Justice Vui said the raping of a sister by a brother is an offence that is rarely brought before the Court. “The sacred covenant between the brother and sister has been broken and in this case, it has been fully ripped apart by the defendant.”

The Supreme Court also pointed out that a brother’s duty is to protect his sister, not to take advantage of her as he has done. According to Samoa Observer, Justice Vui said the complainant was very young when she was violated.

She was “vulnerable and defenseless.” he stated.

“She had to live with this for over a year until she could summon up a voice to talk about what had happened,” said Justice Vui.

The rape ruined her innocence,something that the Court described as a “cherished possession of any young girl.” Because of the seriousness of the offense, Justice Vui sentenced the man to be jailed for 15 years.