Sierra Leone Struggles for Justice in Cases of Sexual Violence Despite New Laws

Makeni, Sierra Leone – Five years after President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency over rape and sexual violence, BBC Africa Eye investigates whether survivors like Anita, a young mother in Makeni, are truly receiving justice.

In 2019, following a surge in public outrage, the government introduced tougher legislation to combat sexual offenses, significantly increasing penalties for perpetrators, especially in cases involving children.

Anita's horrific experience in June 2023 underscores the ongoing challenges. She recounted a harrowing day when she returned from an errand to find her toddler bleeding and in distress, having been raped by a 22-year-old man who was supposed to be caring for the child.

Despite immediate medical attention and her efforts to seek justice, the perpetrator remains at large, with police unable to apprehend him a year after the incident.

This case exemplifies the difficulties in enforcing the new laws. Despite the establishment of a Sexual Offences Model Court in Freetown to fast-track trials and the increase in rape sentences to a minimum of 15 years—or life if involving a child—actual progress on the ground appears slow.

Police statistics show a decline in reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence, from over 12,000 in 2018 to just over 10,000 in 2023, a decrease of almost 17%. However, the efficacy of these measures in delivering justice remains questionable.

The Rainbo Initiative, a national charity working with survivors, reported that in 2022 only 5% of the 2,705 cases it handled progressed to the High Court.

One significant obstacle is the lack of resources for law enforcement, such as transportation, which hampers their ability to arrest suspects effectively.

In Makeni, Assistant Superintendent Abu Bakarr Kanu, who leads the Family Support Unit (FSU), disclosed that they receive about four cases of child sexual assault each week.

The FSU's capability to address these cases is critically hindered by logistical issues, reflecting a broader problem of resource allocation in the fight against sexual violence.

The situation in Sierra Leone highlights a critical gap between legislative progress and practical enforcement, illustrating the complexities of addressing deeply entrenched issues of sexual violence within the community.

Despite the government's efforts to strengthen laws and judicial processes, the reality for many survivors and their families is a prolonged struggle for justice.