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	Liberia: Renegade Pastor Rapes 13 Yr-Old Girl Allafrica [Liberia] June 29, 2007 http://allafrica.com/stories/200706290713.html A Pentecostal prelate, Rev. Samuel Gooding of the Devine Love Resurrection Bible Center Church in Shoes Factory, Gardnerville has been accused of raping a 13-year-old minor, who lives with him and his wife. The incident was discovered by the project officer of the Woman In Peace Building Network (WIPNET), Madam Bernice Freeman, while she was on a regular awareness campaign on Gender Based Violence and Sexual Abuse. The pastor reportedly had sexual interaction with the victim more than three times, but threatened her not to tell his wife. Madam Freeman said a formal report has been filed to the Women and Child Protection Unit of the Liberia National Police, after Pastor Gooding and his wife admitted to the act. Family sources told our reporter that the victim sustained serious rupture in her private parts as a result of the abuse. WIPNET and family sources said Pastor Gooding has gone in hiding, apparently to escape arrest while his wife has reportedly taken the girl from the hospital where she has been receiving medication. Sources described the act by the Pentecostal prelate as cruel and inhumane, and maintained that it would not be swept under the carpet as he would have to pay for his sin. Some disclosed that he may have left the country for a neighboring state while others said he was still in Liberia, but may have gone in the hinterland. "The Pastor's wife must be apprehended by the Police until she shows the exact location of her husband to face prosecution", said some family members advised.
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