Teen Rape Victim S Lawyer Wants Cops Charged

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The lawyer of a 16-year-old girl who was raped by another detainee while in police lock-up, wants the two police officers who were on duty at the time to be charged under the Child Act 2001.
Alan Ling, who is also a senator, said Section 31 of the Child Act 2001 makes it an offence for any person to allow a child under their care to be exposed to abuse, including sexual abuse.
The law provides for a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to 20 years imprisonment or both.
"The police should not only suspend the police officers but arrest them," he said in a statement today. 
The teenager was raped by an underage offender while in police custody at the Miri Central police station in Sarawak last week.
According to a police report she lodged, the girl said she was detained on Jan 8 on suspicion of being involved in illegal gambling activities.
While she was held in a separate cell from the male detainees, the victim said that the doors for the male cells were not locked.
The rapist was charged on Jan 12 for the crime and pleaded guilty.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said he intended for everyone involved in the incident to be charged in court but did not elaborate if this included negligent officers.
Two police officers on duty at the time have been suspended.
Sarawak police chief Aidi Ismail said an internal investigation found the CCTVs at the Miri lock-up had no recording function. - Mkini

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