Justice for Three Girls: A Victory That Protects Countless Children
Protecting Children In Uganda
When we first learned about this case, it was heartbreaking.
Three young girls—just 7, 9, and 12 years old—had been sexually abused by a 75-year-old man in their community. As our team began responding, we discovered another devastating reality: the perpetrator was HIV-positive.
We immediately prayed for these children and ensured they received the medical care they needed. By God’s grace, all three girls tested negative for HIV.
Last week, after months of walking alongside these children and their families, justice was finally served.
The perpetrator was convicted of aggravated defilement and sentenced to 35 years in a Ugandan prison; the longest prison sentence our team has helped secure to date.
For these girls, this verdict represents far more than a prison sentence. It is the affirmation that what happened to them mattered, they were believed, their voices were heard, and that the law can protect children.
Choosing Justice Over Silence
Early in the case, two of the girls’ families considered accepting a private financial settlement from the perpetrator in exchange for dropping the charges.
Although these private settlements are illegal, they are still far too common in Uganda. Families living in poverty are often pressured into accepting money instead of pursuing justice, allowing perpetrators to remain free to abuse again.
We understood the difficult position these parents faced. But we also knew what was at stake.
Research has found that many child sexual offenders abuse numerous victims over their lifetime. Allowing this man to walk free could have placed many more children at risk.
Members of our Community Action Team spent time with the families, explaining the legal process, answering their questions, and helping them understand why pursuing justice would not only protect their own children but others as well.
Over time, something remarkable happened.
The parents who were once uncertain became some of the strongest advocates for the case. They stood faithfully beside their children throughout the court proceedings and celebrated with them when the guilty verdict was announced.
A Community United to Protect Children
From the moment the abuse was reported, they worked tirelessly to:
- Ensure critical evidence was documented.
- Support the children through interviews, medical examinations, trauma counseling, and court proceedings.
- Walk alongside caregivers every step of the journey.
- Follow the case until justice was achieved.
Their commitment demonstrates what child protection looks like when a community refuses to look away.
Perhaps just as importantly, the judge’s decision sends a powerful message throughout the region:
Sexual violence against children will not be tolerated, and those who commit these crimes will be held accountable.
Why Justice Matters
Every successful prosecution protects more than the children involved in that single case.
It removes dangerous offenders from communities, encourages other survivors to come forward, and builds confidence that the justice system can work for children.
Today, these three girls are safer because justice was served. And countless other children may also be safer because one predator can no longer harm them.
In the second quarter of this year, four children received justice through the cases our teams supported. While we celebrate each victory, thousands more children across Uganda are still waiting for someone to stand beside them.
You Can Help Protect More Children
Every rescue, every investigation, every court hearing, and every conviction is possible because compassionate people choose to stand with vulnerable children.
Your support enables our teams to respond when abuse is reported, advocate for survivors, pursue justice, and help children begin the journey toward healing.
Together, we can continue making schools, homes, and communities safer, one child at a time.
