VOINJAMA, Lofa – The Liberia National Police has launched a search operation for an unidentified criminal who allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman in Telbomai community in Voinjama.

The victim told police that during the early morning hours of April 22, she was attacked by a criminal while she slept in a five-bedroom house with her eight-year-old daughter.

A palm oil seller who vends in the Voinjama Central Market, the victim reported that after breaking into the room, her rapist demanded money from her before ripping off her clothes to rape her.

“After raping me, this criminal also took my 2G button phone and began searching for other items,” the victim said, adding that the rapist made away with L$29,000 (US$146).

Comments made by the attacker suggested that the victim had previously denied the sexual advances of the rapist, she added.

“When he noticed that there were no other valuable items, he stepped out of the room, and it was at that time I was able to raise alarm, thereby informing my neighbors in the house and the rest of the community dwellers,” the victim explained.

The task of identifying the rapist is now difficult, as the victim has said she cannot remember any identifying physical features of the criminal. However, she notes that if she hears his voice, she will be able to recognize her attacker.

Next door neighbors told reporters they did not notice any break-ins or attacks until in the morning when the victim began crying.

“It is very strange and we don’t know how it all happened,” Kormassa Mallay said. “We are confused.”

The commander of the Women and Children Protection Section in Lofa, Sergeant Richard A. Mulbah, confirmed that police were investigating the matter. He added that the victim had been forwarded to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“WACPS is launching a search of the perpetrator and will embark on an intensive investigation of the situation,” Mulbah said.

Liberia has long suffered from a high rate of sexual and gender-based violence and many in Lofa are concerned that the anecdotal increase in crimes as a result of the imposed state of emergency to deal with COVID-19 may also lead to increased sexual assaults.

Featured photo by Kelvin Kollie