weak sentencing of three rapists sparks outrage

A 12-year-old girl has become a symbol of the quasi-impunity of child rapists in Morocco. She was 11 years old when she was gang-raped by three neighborhood men for several months. One was sentenced to just two years in prison, the other two to 18 months. From the rapes was born a child that his mother cherishes despite his terrible story. A DNA test has proven that one of the three rapists is indeed the father. The young girl ended up telling her ordeal to the gendarmes.

Feminist associations are mobilizing

“She told them they were three rapists. She gave a name, Karim. She explained that it happened in our house when we were not there”says his mother. The father explains that one of the rapists offered to marry his daughter since she was pregnant. He refused and filed a complaint against the three men. Today, the devastated father traveled to Rabat, the country’s capital. The case is being heard there on appeal. The three defendants denied the facts. For several days, feminist associations have been mobilizing. Moroccan public opinion is deeply shocked.