A shocking allegation of sexual violence against a minor has sparked official outrage in Haiti, where a serving police officer has been summoned to face rape charges connected to an attack on a 14-year-old girl. The case, which unfolded in the Grand’Anse department’s Bac police sub-station, has drawn a firm public rebuke from Pedrica Saint Jean, Haiti’s Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, who released a formal statement on June 3 detailing her indignation and deep concern over the accusations.
According to official court documents, the Chief Prosecutor of Jérémie has issued a formal summons to Roneld Nelson, the police officer assigned to the Bac sub-station. Nelson is accused of carrying out the sexual assault against the young teen on the grounds of the police facility itself. Beyond the core rape allegation, reports also point to a suspected attempt to bribe the victim’s family into remaining silent about the incident.
In her statement, Minister Saint Jean emphasized that if proven, these acts would amount to an unconscionable violation of the child’s fundamental rights. “These would not only harm the victim’s physical and psychological well-being, but also represent an unacceptable assault on the core values of justice, protection, and human dignity that all public institutions are obligated to uphold,” she wrote.
The minister drew a clear line in her stance on gender-based and child violence, stressing that sexual violence against women, girls and children is an egregious crime that cannot be tolerated, shielded from accountability, or left unpunished — no matter what official position or authority the perpetrator holds.
Saint Jean also praised the bravery of the victim and her family, who pushed ahead with reporting the case despite reported attempts to pressure them into dropping the allegation. She noted that their choice to trust Haiti’s judicial system sets an important example for other survivors of violence.
The Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights has issued an official call for Haiti’s competent judicial and law enforcement bodies to launch a rigorous, impartial, fully transparent and prompt investigation into the allegations. The goal of the probe, the ministry says, should be to uncover the full truth of the incident and assign all legal responsibilities in line with Haitian law.
Closing her statement, Saint Jean reaffirmed her unwavering solidarity with the victim, her family, and all people impacted by the case, while restating her commitment to building a Haitian society where the rights, dignity and personal safety of all women, girls and children are fully protected under the law.