INCREASING INCIDENTS OF RAPE CASES WORRYING: KOUHOTA

Magistrates Court. Photo credit: SIBC.

The new Chief Magistrate of the Honiara Magistrates Court Emanuel Kouhota said the increasing incidents of rape in Solomon Islands is worrying.

Chief Magistrate Kouhota made the statement after being sworn-in by the country’s Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

Mr Kouhota said the High Court deals with an increasing number of rape incidents, adding it is obvious females must look after themselves from perpetrators.

He said, his immediate task is to ensure the backlog of outstanding cases is reduced.

The Chief Magistrate further stated, the task will be difficult because the Honiara Magistrates Court only has three courtrooms, and in general, magistrates do not have rooms to work from.