A report by the National Human Rights Commission has raised fresh concerns over compensation to victims of rape and defilements.

In a presentation before the joint chambers of parliament, chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, Madeleine Nirere, said that out of 266 families whose children were victims of defilements, almost none filed legal-suits for compensation.

“Out of 266 rape cases that the commission investigated, 34 of them were impregnated by their abusers while some of them contracted sexually transmitted diseases.

“Forty-seven per cent of those cases were immediately reported while 27 per cent case of defilements were reported after the pregnancy,” said Ms Nirere.

Ms Nirere noted that the cases placed heavy financial burden on the families when t they take the victims to hospitals.

“We have also seen families who fail to file for compensations simply because the abuser or predator has no property,” she added.

According to MP Elisabeth Mukamana, addressing sexual violence against children needs joint efforts, urging the commission to go through previous recommendations relating gender based violence and push for action.

Could change

“The resolutions should move from justice sector and became multi-sectoral, It is evident that 215 out of 266 children did not get proper justice, because many are yet to find their aggressors or others have relenting parents. Reports indicate that 51 parents of the victims have no intention to follow up on the compensations, this should change,” she said.

Of the resolutions, that were tabled for adoption, Ministry of Justice is expected to conduct countrywide awareness campaigns to help families whose children were affected to push for compensations.

While the commission noted that there has been a reduction in violation of rights, property related complaints lead at 34 per cent followed by complaints relating to justice at 24 per cent.

The findings of National Commission for Human Rights has ignited a debate over a report by the National Prosecution Authority, which observed rise in cases of gender-based violence.

According to the report, 2,996 documents received last year were about child defilement while 505 were on rape.

The conviction rate on these crimes according to the prosecution report, stands at 92.