– Mother pleads for Justice as her daughter battles psychological trauma
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia – An eight-year-old girl is battling severe psychological trauma after being raped by a 15-year-old male student on their school campus, a case that has kindled demands for justice and exposed systemic failures in child protection. The alleged assault, now under investigation by the Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberia National Police (LNP), occurred on Monday, November 17, 2025.
By Jerromie S. Walters/wjerromie@womenvoicesnewspaper_i2sktp
Psychologically, the survivor is struggling profoundly. Report suggests she is visualizing the alleged perpetrator in almost her every move, especially at night, a situation that has made life awkwardly unusual for her. The survivor, a primary school student from Paynesville, left her home that morning in good health. Her condition upon returning, however, immediately alarmed her mother.
The child was walking abnormally and exhibited visible physical discomfort, with the back of her school uniform heavily soiled and other parts of her body filthy. The mother’s apprehension intensified that evening during the child’s bath. The young girl vehemently resisted being washed, eventually disclosing that her vaginal area was causing her significant pain.
This confession prompted a series of concerned questions, with the mother growing increasingly skeptical about the cause of her daughter’s distress.
After initial attempts to coax out the information, including promising the child her favorite chocolate milk, proved futile, the mother resorted to physical discipline. It was only following several lashes that the survivor relented, agreeing to disclose the events on the condition that the beating cease.
The child then recounted a harrowing sequence of events. She stated that the 15-year-old boy, identified as Lincoln Charles, a 5th-grade student at the same school, had taken her into a bathroom on the school premises and sexually assaulted her. Crucially, the survivor revealed that the alleged perpetrator had threatened to kill her and burn down her family home if she ever told anyone.
The following day, Tuesday, November 18, the mother took her daughter to the school, where the child physically identified Lincoln Charles as her assailant. Confronted with the allegation, the boy’s parents vehemently denied the claim, asserting their son’s incapability of such an act. The boy’s mother reportedly threatened to pursue a traditional resolution to the matter, outside of the formal legal system.
In response, the survivor was taken to the Hope for Women Medical Clinic on Duport Road for a medical examination. The examination was conducted in the presence of family members from both sides. The medical findings, as recounted by the survivor’s mother, were conclusive.
“Two different people checked her. When they checked her they called me and the boy’s mother,” the mother stated. “The place was very red. The girl gets bruises all over her vagina. The place is red then the woman used the English on me… ‘the boy didn’t only touch the little girl, he penetrated.’ That’s what the nurse told two of us.” A formal medical report was generated and handed over to the police.
The police initiated an investigation, taking statements from at least four individuals and visiting the school to inspect the bathroom identified as the crime scene. Following this preliminary probe, the case was formally forwarded to the Women and Children Protection Section of the LNP for further investigation and potential prosecution.
However, the pursuit of justice encountered significant obstacles during a visit to the Temple of Justice on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The survivor’s mother was introduced to a lawyer assigned to her daughter’s case, who, after a brief conversation with the parents of the alleged perpetrator, abruptly altered course.
The survivor’s mother insinuated that this interaction was a “compromised” discussion.
“She said my boss man says you should carry the little girl for treatment, when she comes to herself, then I will call you,” the mother quoted the lawyer as saying. The alleged perpetrator is currently in police custody.
Since his detention, the survivor’s mother reported repeated attempts by the boy’s family to settle the matter privately, outside of the court system.
Such a private settlement would be in direct violation of Liberian law. Under Chapter 14 of the New Liberian Penal Code, rape is explicitly categorized as a non-bailable first-degree felony when the victim is under the age of 18. The crime carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. As the survivor continues medical treatment, caregivers await further medical reports.
Those close to her say they lack a full understanding of her actual health status, with additional test results expected this week. In the wake of the assault, recognized child rights advocate Madam
Ne-suah Beyan Livingstone is urging parents to create time for their children and provide them with essential education to ensure they are not vulnerable to such violence. “Its now good to start the conversation sooner because we are not living in normal time,” she stated.
“Parents, teachers, school administrators… people should keep eyes on their children.”
Madam Livingstone also lauded the Ministry of Education’s plan to include sex education in the national curriculum. She further suggested that learning institutions pay key attention to early childhood education and ensure qualified teachers are present to monitor children.
She believes a lot went wrong in this case, citing the school’s insensitive bathroom structure, which allowed male students access to female areas with no means of monitoring. Through it all, the mother of the eight-year-old girl continues to plead for justice. “Please help my daughter,” she implored. “He took my daughter’s virginity. They are using cash violence.”
