12-year-old girl gang raped by three youths she befriended via social media

BATU PAHAT: A 12-year-old girl from here was allegedly raped by three youths whom she befriended through social media.

Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ismail Dollah said a police report was lodged by the victim’s mother at 3.35am on Tuesday (Aug 15).

“She believes that the three youths took turns to rape her underaged daughter.

“The girl was said to have met the three suspects via social media,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 16).

ACP Ismail added that the three male suspects, aged 18 to 20, were subsequently arrested in the Batu Pahat area.

“We have opened an investigation paper to look into the matter under Section 375B,” he said, adding that the punishment for gang rape is imprisonment of 10 to 30 years upon conviction.

The suspects are under police remand for seven days until Aug 21 to aid in investigations.

“We urge the public, especially parents, to know where your children are to prevent them from falling prey to crimes.

“Social media usage among children should also be monitored closely by parents to avoid them from being influenced by sweet promises given by predators,” ACP Ismail advised.