The 11-year-old girl, Ma Thazin, has demonstrated worrying behavior, occasionally giggling and talking to herself in private. She shows dread and anxiety when she sees men.

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Ko Min, Thazin’s uncle, expressed his sorrow by saying, “It upsets me to observe Thazin in this situation. She clearly exhibits signs of anxiousness and mental discomfort”.

Thazin resides in Lashio’s Ward 1 neighborhood (8) with her mother. Ma Thazin’s father passed away five years ago, and her mother remarried.

Ma Thazin was frequently raped by 35-year-old U Myo, who had remarried her mother.

Ma Thazin, age 11, was sexually assaulted by her stepfather on April 19 while her mother was at the meditation center.

Ko Min lamented, “Her mother was at the meditation camp that night. Meanwhile, back at home, the girl’s stepfather and his friends were engaged in drinking. Later, thinking his friends had departed, the stepfather began undressing the child. It was only when his friends returned that they discovered his sinister intentions.”

When Ma Thazin’s family asked her about the aforementioned occurrence, they learned that it wasn’t her stepfather’s first sexual assault. As he recalled her statements, Ma Thazin’s uncle said, “The girl said that was not the first time. The rapes and violations have happened pretty frequently for some time already”.

Following her mother’s marriage to her stepfather, the daughter was compelled to sleep separately from her mother. However, the arrangement offered minimal privacy, with only a curtain partitioning their beds. Tragically, Thazin would frequently encounter her stepfather under these circumstances, enduring the harrowing experience of sexual assault.

“The girl said he would come and sleep next to her at night when her mother sleeps. Just a curtain divides the child’s sleeping area from the bed” Ko Min reiterated the child’s words, “He’s been doing that for a long time.

In a further distressing revelation, family members disclosed that Ma Thazin had been subjected to rape by U Myo, the stepfather, on more than five occasions. Additionally, he threatened to kill Ma Thazin and her mother if she brought up the matter with anyone else.

Ko Min noted that, as a result, the girl remained silent.

“The stepfather told the young daughter to get dressed immediately after noticing his friend had returned that night. In addition, he told her not to reveal anything to anyone and threatened to kill her and her mother if she did. That’s why the kid didn’t say anything”, Ko Min continued.

Currently, the child’s health has undergone examination, but the results are still pending.

Ko Min revealed that the girl underwent a medical examination, including a mental health checkup. Describing her condition, he mentioned, “Following the assault, it was observed that she occasionally engaged in self-conversations and exhibited impulsive behavior. However, in other aspects of her life, things carried on as usual.”

The rapist is currently being detained at the Lashio police station, and a case has been opened.

“He is currently being held at the police station. I’m close to him, and we’re like brothers to each other. He does not appear to be the kind of person who would do such a thing to a child. It doesn’t seem that way. I’m now sad and furious. We’ll take action against him,” declared Ko Min.

According to a legal expert, the majority of child sex abuse and rape cases are committed by those who are close to the victim, such as family members, spouses from second marriages, and, in some cases, the biological father.

According to the 2019 Penal Code Amendment Bill, which President U Win Myint signed into law, raping a child under the age of 12 carries a sentence of 20 years or life in prison under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

Following the military takeover, there has been a reported increase of 10% in child rape cases across Shan State, as stated by a child and women’s rights activist.

A legal expert revealed, “Child rape rates, which used to be around 5%, could now be as high as 10%.” The expert further highlighted that “the majority of child rape cases are concentrated in rural areas and villages in Shan State. The young victim I recently assisted in a child sexual abuse case is only seven years old.”

Even though social assistance organizations and local communities in Myanmar have worked hard to prevent child rape, the number of such cases has unfortunately increased in the wake of the military takeover.

In the current situation, there have also been weak regulations and legal actions taken against the perpetrators.

In light of the situation, Ko Min, the uncle, is committed to doing his best and preparing to protect his niece’s rights, pursue justice, and support her mental recovery.

Expressing his commitment, Ko Min emphasized, “The well-being of the child is of the utmost importance. We will exert every effort to ensure justice is served through a fair trial. Currently, she is receiving treatment to aid her healing process. No matter how challenging it may be, I will dedicate myself entirely to supporting my niece.”