Last year, a 28-year-old man in Sierra Leone was accused of raping a 5-year-old relative — paralyzing her from the waist down. He never faced punishment for the horrific incident, which drew outrage across the West African nation of 7.5 million and brought attention to the country’s high rate of sexual violence. "She may never walk again, and I want vengeance for what has happened,” the girl’s grandmother told Reuters. “Some of our families practice a culture of silence and indifference toward sexual violence, leaving victims even more traumatized,” Bio said. His announcement included a pledge that all victims of sexual violence would be treated at state hospitals free, and that those guilty of sexually assaulting minors could face life in prison.

Source: Washington Post February 09, 2019 19:34 UTC