By SLP Media Team
FREETOWN, Sept. 22, 2026: Lantern Rescue International, in collaboration with the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has launched a specialised training programme for 40 FSU personnel aimed at enhancing investigations into sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), child trafficking and related offences.
The training, being held at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA) in Hastings, is designed to strengthen the investigative capacity of FSU personnel while promoting professional standards and international best practices in handling cases involving vulnerable victims.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Head of the Family Support Unit, Detective Superintendent of Police Mohamed Mansaray, reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to improving its effectiveness in combating SGBV and protecting vulnerable groups.
He stressed that addressing sexual and gender-based violence requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral response involving government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners.
“The fight against sexual and gender-based violence is truly multi-sectoral. It is not only the responsibility of the Sierra Leone Police; we need other organisations and partners to support our efforts,” he said.
DSP Mansaray noted key challenges confronting FSU investigators, particularly in tackling child trafficking and other SGBV-related crimes.
He commended Lantern Rescue for supporting the training of officers from the Western Area and expressed hope that similar capacity-building initiatives would be extended to FSU personnel stationed at regional headquarters nationwide.
Lantern Rescue’s West Africa Programme Manager, Vivian Hartlief, thanked the Sierra Leone Police and the Family Support Unit for their partnership and support in hosting the programme.
Providing an overview of the organisation’s operations, Hartlief said Lantern Rescue works in 12 African countries, partnering with law enforcement agencies to strengthen responses to human trafficking, child exploitation and gender-based violence.
She explained that the organisation tailors its interventions to the specific needs of each country, noting that while its operations in Nigeria place greater emphasis on cross-border human trafficking, its work in Ghana focuses more on Family Support Unit cases and sexual and gender-based violence investigations.
Also addressing participants, SILEA Commandant ACP Brima Kamara Esq. welcomed both facilitators and trainees, urging participants to fully utilise the opportunity to strengthen their professional skills.
He emphasised that continuous professional development remains a key priority of Inspector-General of Police William Fayia Sellu, adding that effective policing depends largely on the knowledge, competence and professionalism of officers.
ACP Kamara encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to improve service delivery and enhance investigations upon returning to their respective duty stations.
“When you are done, we expect that when you return to your workplace, you must be able to take the skills and knowledge you have acquired here and put them into practice,” he said. He subsequently declared the training officially open.
The programme is expected to bolster the investigative capabilities of Family Support Unit personnel and further strengthen cooperation between the Sierra Leone Police and international partners in combating sexual and gender-based violence, child trafficking and other crimes affecting vulnerable persons.