The Legal Aid Board with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a two-day training workshop on improving access to justice for victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases in Kono and Kailahun Districts.
Twenty staff, 10 each from the Legal Aid Board and the Kenema based human rights organization, Humanist Watch (HUWASAL) benefited from the training which took place in Kenema from 12th to 13th May 2022.
The aim is to capacitate staff comprising paralegals and social workers on how to identify SGBV cases, refer such matter to the police, monitor investigations to ensure they are expeditious, ensure evidence is not destroyed or tampered with and more over ensure matters are not compromised.
In his presentation on Identification of SGBV cases at community level, the Legal Aid Counsel in Kenema, Patrick Kamara explained the different types of sexual violence matters namely sexual penetration, rape, sexual assault and child pornography. He observed that many times these matters are reported to Local Court and Traditional Chiefs who do not have jurisdiction over these matters. This he added, sometimes result in destroying or watering down the evidence, witness tampering and compromises.
Counsel Kamara also took time to explain the meaning of sexual penetration. He said that penetration does not only involve use of the penis but also the use of other parts of the body or an object to penetrate any opening in the body. He said that women too can commit this offence.
He drew the attention of the participants to the seriousness of sexual offences with particular reference to sexual penetration which he said attracts life imprisonment.
He said that Domestic Violence is an extension of SGBV. He furthered that women are being discriminated against on matters of inheritance and acquisition of property which is a form of economic abuse. He emphasized that there should be gender equality in all spheres of life including the right to property.
Counsel Kamara called on the participants from HUWASAL not to hesitate to contact the Board whenever they are faced with issues relating to the law, emphasizing that the Board is not just there to provide legal representation but to also explain the laws through legal education which will help to prevent crime.
He admonished them to be humble, respectful, steadfast and confident, saying their work is immense and it does not help the victims and perpetrators in some instances live in the same community.
Speaking on role of Paralegals and Social Workers and how their work will impact the prosecution of SGBV cases at community level, the Director of HUWASAL, Christopher Brima, categorized the work of paralegals and social workers into three areas: survivor centered approach which helps the survivor to open up; careful listening skills which helps in assessing the story and information gathering which must be treated in confidence.
He said ‘Providing services to victims of SGBV should be collaborative as such it should not be seen as a one man business’, adding that ‘It is therefore crucial for service providers to work with stakeholders and partners to refer matters where applicable.’
Mr. Brima thanked the UNDP and the Board for capacitating his staff, noting that the training will further strengthen the relationship between the Board and HUWASAL.
Earlier, the Legal Aid Board Regional Programme Manager for the East, James Thomas-Mafinda spoke on the relevance of the training, noting that education in whatever form is important.