A/HRC/7/67 page 10 B. Human rights of women and implementation of the Rape Law 33. Many Liberian women and girls, regardless of age, marital status and ethnic affiliation, suffer various forms of violence and exploitation, including gang rape, sexual slavery, forced sex in exchange for food or survival, and forced or early marriage. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the situation of gender-based violence in Liberia, in 10 of Liberia’s most populous counties, 90.8 per cent of the sample had been subjected to one or multiple acts of abuses and/or sexual violence; 75 per cent were raped - most of them gang raped. Sexual violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, incest, early and forced marriage, wife inheritance and female genital mutilation are the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence in the country. Furthermore, the level of poverty among women and children and the absence of social safety networks make women and children extremely vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse. 34. The prevalence of gender-based violence has serious repercussions, including exposure to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Needs assessments carried out in health facilities show that, despite their willingness to receive the victims of gender-based violence, health facilities are not sufficiently equipped and lack adequate drugs, medical supplies and health professionals trained in the clinical and psychological management of victims of gender-based violence. In addition, most health facilities are inaccessible to victims who seek comprehensive emergency care. 35. Though the amended Rape Law entered into force in January 2006, rape is still the most prevalent crime in the country, particularly in Lofa County. The weak judiciary system and the lack of awareness and understanding among the population of the legal system remains the main reason for the weak implementation of the Rape Law. There are no official data on prosecuted rape cases owing to the lack of record keeping by the courts. 36. In rape cases, police and prosecutors rely heavily on medical evidence, excluding other forms of both incriminating and exculpatory evidence that should be investigated. Owing to the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators of gender-based violence to go unpunished, victims of this type of violence are usually hesitant to seek assistance or to report the crimes. The stigmatization associated with victims of gender-based violence makes coming forward for assistance difficult and, at times, dangerous. These difficulties are compounded by economic challenges and gaps in legal, protection, health and psychosocial services that fail to ensure confidentiality and supportive services that victims need. This situation discourages victims of rape from reporting cases to the police. 37. Out-of-court settlement is still very widespread in cases of rape. In May, an alleged victim of rape in Grand Cape Mount County appeared to receive discriminatory treatment by the Liberian National Police and judiciary personnel because she was mentally disabled. The police charged the suspect only with the lesser offence of involuntary sodomy. The Robertsport Magistrate and City Solicitor ultimately convened a “conference” for the case, at which the suspect agreed to pay a financial settlement. In another case, in August, during the preliminary examination of a case in which a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped, the Magistrate at Voinjama Magistrates Court, Lofa County, postponed the transfer of the case to the circuit court, stating that he wanted to give the defendant a chance to convince the victim’s parents to settle the case outside court.