UN Deputy Envoy, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, has highlighted the serious and harmful consequences of rape in Liberia as she launched a regional Anti-Rape Campaign in southeastern Grand Gedeh County, close to Liberia's border with Cote d'Iviore.

"This crime has serious social and economic consequences for the society," the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Rule of Law in Liberia told about a thousand people attending the launch.

"Since 2006 the statistics for rape have not declined in Liberia. Most victims are between 10 to 14 years of age, and now even those between one to five years of age are falling prey to rape," Ms. Mensa-Bonsu pointed out.

Liberia's Solicitor-General, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, said the government was very serious about stamping out rape in all spheres of Liberian society.

"We've cases of judges, teachers and pastors being sent to jail in different counties of the country," he said. Cllr. Gongloe further encouraged people to report all cases of sexual violence to the police.

"Rape is a very old problem that troubles the country," he said, citing one of the earliest recorded rape cases involving a 14-year-old victim in 1898.

In urging Liberians to take responsibility in rooting out rape, the Chairman of the Community Policing Forum, Nyenati Kafe, appealed to the community to work with the police.

"If there is no law and order, it will be difficult for development to take place, and for job opportunities to emerge," he added. Mr. Kafe urged the community to take a proactive approach in reporting rape.

The Anti-Rape campaign launch in Zwedru involved the screening of anti-rape messages, sporting events, dramas by Zwedru Children's Parliament, performances by Liberian Artistes Against Rape, and a special appearance by the winner of the 'Star is Born' contest, Moses Swaray. Popular UNMIL comedian, Giorgio Boutini, also thrilled the audience in Zwedru with anti-rape messages.

Attending the launch were acting Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Tarley Dweh, a representative of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Norris Tweh, local officials, religious and traditional leaders, students, youth and women groups, and others.

The national Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce, that includes government, United Nations and other partners, launched the national anti-rape campaign a fortnight ago in a fresh effort to deal with high incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, especially rape.

From the regional launch in Harper, Maryland County, the county-level campaign launches will move on from Grand Gedeh to Sinoe and to all the other Counties of Liberia.