Bail denied for Samoa father facing 158 charges of rape and incest
Apia, SAMOA — A father facing 79 charges of rape and 79 charges of incest appeared again before the Supreme Court of Samoa this week asking to be released from custody in order to take care of his wife.
The man who has been granted name suppression to protect the identity of the victim, his own daughter, has told the Court that his wife has a disability and he is the only caretaker.
Prosecution led by Fuifui Ioane strongly objected the application on the basis that the alleged acts of sexual violation were towards his daughter.
“Your honor he has other daughters at home”.
The Supreme Court rejected the bail application and the matter has been adjourned to the 25th of November where the Court has ordered the accused to enter a plea.
This year the Pacific Islands Law Officers Network (PILON) addressed ways to promote special measures such as CCTV video and blocking screens, for vulnerable sexual violence complainants such as daughters having to give evidence against their own fathers and grand fathers.
Findings of Samoa’s National Human Rights Report on Family Violence 2018 states that up to 1 in 5 women in Samoa are raped in their lifetime.