Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested Samuel Nsengiyumva, 32, for allegedly defiling 11 children in Nyagatare District.

Speaking to The New Times, RIB spokesperson, Thierry Murangira, said, "Nsengiyumva defiled the children by use of grooming.

He lured them with gifts and making them watch pornography. While defilement is a crime itself, pornography is also a crime.”

Sexual grooming refers to grooming where the offender aims to sexually abuse the child.

Grooming can happen in online spaces as well as in person, by a stranger or someone known. It involves the offender building a relationship with a child, and sometimes with their wider family, gaining their trust and a position of power over the child, in preparation for abuse. The process of grooming can take place in a matter of minutes, over one conversation, or over long periods of time, in some cases, years.

The victims include 10 boys and one girl who are between five and 14 years old.

Murangira said that preliminary investigations found that the crimes were committed in November this year at different times in Barija cell, Barija Village B of Nyagatare sector in Nyagatare district.

"Resident whose child was defiled file the complaint which was followed by an investigation that discovered that there are other victims,” he said.

He urged all residents to be vigilant and protect their children from unsafe places and report any suspects on time.

"Parents should not be busy looking for income for their families but should also care about the health of their children by tracing whatever might harm them. Parents should always have conversations with their children. They should make sure the children are in safe places,” he said.

He urged local leaders to increase awareness among the citizens about children’s rights, and drug abuse and report any complaints on time.

If convicted, the suspect could be punished by life imprisonment according to the law.

In 2020, a 19-year-old man was also sentenced for having defiled 17 young boys at different times in Gasabo District.

The victims were between 7 and 12 years old.

In the first six months of 2020, some 2,157 cases of defilement were reported to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

RIB said that while 3,152 cases were reported in 2018 and 3,623 in 2019, there were indications that the number this year would most likely be higher.

Of these, 3,135 cases reported were girls while 80 were boys.