Juba, South Sudan,
July 26, 2021 – The police in Aweil have arrested and detained a 45-year-old man for hugging and kissing an underage girl without her consent.
Deng Akeen Akeen in Maper Akot Aru was in the western part of Aweil town was accused of what earlier reports have equated to sexual harassment.
The accused, sources say, harassed Athieng Agou Ngong, 16, at least two times before consequently getting arrested. Akeen executed his actions during visits to the girl’s home while her parents were away.
An officer who opted not to be named because of the authorization factor said Akeen was arrested and charged under the penal code section of 375.
“He found the girl washing dishes and he hugged and kissed her while he was drunk so we opened a case under Southern Sudan penal sections of 375/177 which talks about drunkenness in a public place and public nuisance,” the officer said.
“We issued form (8) for the girl and of course, there is no evidence of rape such as torn skirt or clothes because the police deal with such proof,’’ the officer added.
One of the victim’s relatives identified as Marko Manut Majok said Akeen attacked the minor while she was alone at home and appreciated the neighbors for coming to her rescue.
“Yes, there is one guy called Deng Akeen Akeen who went to the home in the afternoon when the people were in the market,” he said. “My wife and I were also at the market and my sister was left at home alone, so Deng came and tried to rape the child but the neighbors came and recused her. She is sixteen years old,’’ Majok was quoted by Radio Tamazuj to have said.
Viviana Abuk, a witness to the incident disclosed that the suspect came a day before, hugged and kissed the girl, and tried to drag her into the house before she and other neighbors came to her rescue.
“What happened was that this man, Deng Akeen Akeen, came and found the little girl seated and he hugged her and kissed her severally and pulled her into the house but she resisted him until we and other neighbors came and rescued her. That was what happened and someone has the right to say what she or he sees,” Abuk said.
