WUNRN
International Justice Mission
KENYA - STEPFATHER GETS MAXIMUM
SENTENCE FOR RAPE OF AGE 13 GIRL
Sarah* was 13 when her stepfather raped her. After a long and often scary legal battle, the man was convicted for the abuse and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
NAIROBI, KENYA – Sarah* suffered under her stepfather's terrifying abuse for years—but today she can finally put the awful past behind her. With IJM's help, Sarah and her family are now safe, and the man who sexually and physically abused her has been convicted in a Kenyan court. Today, he begins 20 years in prison.
Unsafe in Her Own Home
Sarah
was 13 years old when her stepfather raped her at knifepoint and threatened to
hurt her if she told anyone. Sarah soon learned she was pregnant, but –
terrified by her stepfather's threats – stayed silent about the abuse until her
baby was born. Though she managed to conceal her pregnancy, once the baby was
born, she was no longer able to hide. She told her mother the shocking truth.
Sarah's stepfather was a known member of a powerful and violent local gang. Just as he had terrified Sarah into silence, he intimidated her mother—preventing her from filing a police report on her daughter's behalf, and threatening both mother and daughter repeatedly. They were terrified to stay, but even more terrified to leave.
Finally, more than a year after the rape, Sarah's mother courageously overcame the intense intimidation and reported her husband's abuse to local police. At last, he was arrested and held in jail. One of the police officers brought Sarah to IJM Kenya for help in the daunting legal case ahead. Sarah and her mother were not alone in their fear anymore.
Relentless Defenders
But as IJM and police started building the case, it took a terrifying turn: Sarah's stepfather was granted bail and released from prison. He forced Sarah and her family to move houses—hiding them away and cutting off contact with IJM and others who could help them. Whenever Sarah and her mother were due to attend court, he would lock them in the house and threaten more violence.
IJM investigators joined once again with local police to find Sarah's family and protect them. When they found Sarah several months later, she had nearly given up hope. IJM Kenya's Director of Casework Benson Shamala says, "She had resigned to think that no one would ever come to rescue her."
But IJM and police did just that. Together, they helped move Sarah's family into a safe and secret location. IJM social workers counseled Sarah and helped her process the abuse she had suffered. From there, IJM continued to prepare a solid case for court, including witness testimonies and a DNA test to prove Sarah's attacker was the father of her baby boy.
The stepfather continued to threaten Sarah through text messages—as long as he was out on bail, Sarah and her family could never feel truly safe. IJM called on the court to order his arrest once more, and police took him back to jail. IJM Kenya's Director of Investigations says, "When he was rearrested, Sarah and her mother were given hope again."
Soon, social workers helped Sarah prepare to face her stepfather in court. She spoke bravely, sharing the truth about the rape and years of abuse she had endured.
Judge Stands Up for Sarah
Even with this remarkable progress, Sarah's stepfather was still trying to escape the charges. He again applied for reduced bail, and a new judge granted the request.
But IJM knew that if Sarah's stepfather was released, the girl's safety would be in danger once again.
Acting quickly, IJM and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution appealed to a higher court—an uncommon step in cases like this. The higher judge agreed with their concern, reversing the lower court's ruling and ensuring that Sarah's stepfather would remain in prison for the duration of the trial—unable to hurt or harass the young girl again.
The judge commended Sarah for being "courageous,
truthful and strong." The accuracy and detail she shared with the court,
along with the DNA evidence, made the judge "undoubtedly convinced of the
truth."
"We moved in just in time to block bail for this dangerous man," says Benson. "If he had been granted bail, he would have become a security threat to Sarah and her mother. It could have crushed the case."
For
the rest of the trial, IJM made sure Sarah and her mother were safe and free to
testify. The judge commended Sarah for being "courageous, truthful and
strong." The accuracy and detail she shared with the court, along with the
DNA evidence, made the judge "undoubtedly convinced of the truth."
The trial judge found Sarah's stepfather guilty of abusing her and endangering her family. And on April 29, 2013, he sentenced the man to 20 years in prison. A long history of abuse and nearly two years in court have ended with justice for Sarah and her family.
A Promising New Future
Today, they are safe—finally free from this man and able to live in peace. Sarah and her mother have completed IJM's trauma-focused therapy program. They have moved to a new home, where Sarah's mother can farm and provide for her family.
Now 17, Sarah is a smart, confident and compassionate teenager. She has returned to school with IJM's help and is a leader among her peers. Sarah's mother helps care for her young son so that she can study. Sarah helps to mentor other IJM clients, sharing her story to encourage and strengthen these young girls who have been abused.
"Sarah has moved on," says IJM Social Worker Rose Muthee. "Her past has not determined her present."
*A pseudonym has been used and images have been obscured for the protection
of this IJM client.