By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown – June 2026: Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, Esq, has urged stakeholders to strengthen the country’s response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), emphasizing that justice for survivors must be seen as a complete chain rather than isolated actions.
Speaking during a meeting convened to validate findings from the National Technical Monitoring Visit to One-Stop and Rainbow Centres nationwide, the Attorney General described the report as “a significant step forward” in moving beyond assumptions and confronting the realities faced by survivors.
Sesay underscored that a survivor’s journey does not begin in court but at the moment they make the difficult decision to report an incident. From there, the process extends through investigation, medical examination, psychosocial support, legal review, prosecution, and adjudication.
“Any weakness along that chain can undermine outcomes for survivors and diminish public confidence in the justice system,” he cautioned, calling for institutions to work effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively.
Stakeholders were encouraged to use the validation process not only to identify challenges but also to propose practical, achievable, and sustainable reforms within existing institutional frameworks. The Attorney General stressed that every improvement represents a stronger safeguard for women, girls, children, and other vulnerable persons.
Acknowledging the leadership of Rainbo Initiative, he expressed gratitude for its continued role in strengthening Sierra Leone’s SGBV response system.
“Our ultimate goal remains a Sierra Leone where survivors are protected, offenders are held accountable, and justice is accessible to all,” the Attorney General affirmed.