Marrying rape victim will not protect rapist

PUTRAJAYA: A rapist who marries his victim is not exempted from punishment of the crime, said the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
Commenting on news reports yesterday on the status of a girl in Sabah who married her rapist, the ministry said the jail sentence imposed on the man was proof that the current legal system was capable of protecting the victims, especially in cases involving children.
As the ministry responsible for the protection and welfare of children, it said the ministry did not encourage child marriages and they should be given the opportunity to develop their full potential.
It added that underage marriages could challenge the child's physical and mental development in various aspects like health, education and finances.
"However, the ministry accepts the decision made by the victim and family to continue with the marriage under existing laws," it said in a statement here today.

Yesterday, local newspapers quoted the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim as saying the girl, now 16 years old, was well and living with her family while her husband served a 12-year sentence.
The ministry said under the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territory) 1984 and the Islamic Family Law Enactment in the states, marriages under 16 years of age were allowed with permission from the Syariah Court.
"The ministry is committed to giving the necessary social support such as counselling and scheduled monitoring for the sake of the child and her family," it said.
It added that the latest visit on the teenager found her living comfortably with her parents, helping her mother look after the children of her sister and brother who lived with them.
The Welfare Services Department would continue to monitor her condition and give the necessary support, the ministry said. — Bernama