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Court Orders Compensation For Rape Victim
Zimbabwe’s top court has ordered the state to pay compensation to a rape victim who was denied an abortion after she was attacked eight years ago.
The court criticised police and medical workers for delays in helping the woman seek a termination of her pregnancy.
Abortion is illegal in Zimbabwe, but may be permitted where the pregnancy is a result of rape or where it poses a threat to the woman’s life.
The woman’s eight-year-old child is now going to school.
‘Thrown out’
The Supreme Court was scathing in its judgment, reports the BBC’s Brian Hungwe from the capital, Harare.
It ruled that the mental anguish from the pregnancy was foreseeable and doctors should have recommended emergency contraception – the so-called “morning-after pill” – within three days of the rape in 2006.
The doctors instead referred the matter back to the police, contributing to delays which meant it was eventually too late to terminate the pregnancy.
The Supreme Court referred the case to another court to determine the sum to be awarded in damages.
The woman was also seeking $42,000 (£25,000) in compensation to cover the costs of raising the child, but that claim was thrown out, the AFP news agency reports.
The ruling was welcomed by the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, which initiated the litigation on behalf of the woman.
Posted by
Loose Canon
March 26, 2014 at 11:08 am
Too bad for the child knowing she is not wanted by the mother.
FuManchu
March 26, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Worse still she knowing how she came into being! The mother may have had counseling and may have already accepted and adjusted to the predicament! God is great mother and daughter will bond well.
King James
March 26, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Ati god is great ifyabubwa fye!! Where was god when he lady was being raped? Is it the same good that said….
Deuteronomy 23:2…”
A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord. Even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
The Bastard child will always be a reminder of what the unfortunate woman went thru.. the least that can happen is to get that money and ease the heartache.
King James
March 26, 2014 at 11:09 pm
meant to write…
where was god when *the* lady was being raped?
Mwana Wamulungu
March 27, 2014 at 6:48 am
Ah ah ah ba King James God is a malyotola, never ever say or write things that will put you in trouble. I suggest you repent wholeheartedly for making derogatory remarks against God and pray for the mother and child to lead a normal life despite what happened to the mother. Mmmmmm you worry me.
vyavula
March 28, 2014 at 11:11 am
mwana wamulungu you are right this soul called king james is not wise enough to say such a thing it is even better to be quite than to comment foolishly God will surely punish you james.