In a historic move to strengthen the fight against sexual violence, Chief Justice His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda on Friday, 7th March 2025, launched the Sexual Offences Model Court in Bo, the first of its kind in the Southern Region and only the third in the country.
This landmark development is a major step in ensuring swift and fair justice for survivors who have long faced challenges in accessing the legal system.
For years, victims of sexual offences in the South endured lengthy legal battles, delayed trials, and the hardship of traveling to Freetown or Kailahun to seek justice. The establishment of this specialized court marks the end of that era, bringing justice directly to their doorstep.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Justice Kamanda described the moment as a defining chapter in Sierra Leone’s justice system. He noted that survivors of sexual violence have often struggled to have their voices heard, but with this court now operational, those barriers have been removed. He assured the public of the Judiciary’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system, ensuring that judicial officers are well-trained and equipped to handle sensitive cases with professionalism and care.
Bo District has long been one of the regions with the highest reported cases of sexual offences. The launch of this court is expected to significantly improve the legal response to such crimes by expediting trials and ensuring justice is not delayed.
Supreme Court Judge Hon. Justice Alusine Sesay commended the initiative, emphasizing that the Chief Justice’s vision is to replicate this model in Makeni, Kono, Kambia, and Kenema, ensuring that all regions have access to specialized judicial services.
The significance of this court extends beyond the Judiciary. Representing the Government of Sierra Leone, Provincial Secretary Abu Bakarr Kamara reaffirmed the city’s commitment to justice and human rights. He condemned sexual offences as crimes against humanity and praised the Judiciary for taking a firm stance against impunity. He described the court as a beacon of hope for survivors and a stern warning to perpetrators that Sierra Leone will no longer tolerate sexual violence.
State Counsel for the Southern Region, Augustin Sheku, who represented the Deputy Minister of Justice, highlighted the urgency of the initiative, given Bo’s high incidence of sexual offences. He reassured the public that the Judiciary remains committed to upholding justice while ensuring due process for all parties involved.
The launch of the Sexual Offences Model Court was met with enthusiasm from community leaders. Paramount Chief Joe Kangbai Marcakarvoray of Tikonko Chiefdom lauded the Judiciary for this milestone and pledged to lead mass sensitization campaigns to educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities under the law. He declared that the era of survivors suffering in silence, legal delays, and unpunished crimes is over.
This initiative is part of a broader national agenda led by President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, which has made the fight against sexual and gender-based violence a priority. It is also a testament to the relentless advocacy of First Lady Fatima Bio’s Hands Off Our Girls campaign, which has amplified the voices of survivors and called for concrete action. Parliament’s commitment to strengthening legal protections further underscores the country’s determination to tackle this issue head-on.
The ceremony was attended by Justices of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Fatmata Bintu Alhadi (JA) and Hon. Justice Tonia Barnett (JA), alongside legal professionals, law enforcement officials, civil society organizations, and community leaders. The strong turnout demonstrated a united front in the national fight against sexual violence.
