ILRAJ Condemns Abuse, Calls for Justice
By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 12, 2024 – The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has strongly condemned the alleged sexual abuse and untimely death of eight-year-old Kajata Jalloh.
The case has ignited calls for justice and spurred concerns over child safety in Sierra Leone.
According to reports, Kajata was allegedly subjected to sexual abuse by a teacher at her school. This incident adds to a troubling pattern of sexual violence affecting minors in Sierra Leone. Despite the country’s Sexual Offences Act, which prescribes life imprisonment for sexual penetration of minors, the frequency of such cases remains alarmingly high.
ILRAJ has highlighted those tragic cases like this, as well as the 2020 death of Kadija Saccoh, signal urgent gaps in both enforcement and child protection.
In their statement, ILRAJ emphasized that Kajata’s experience and alleged poisoning after the abuse necessitate a thorough investigation. The organization has urged key authorities—the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, and the Director of Public Prosecutions—to lead a transparent, efficient investigation, with all available evidence meticulously handled. They stressed that justice must be pursued swiftly while ensuring due process.
ILRAJ also called on the government to support Kajata’s grieving family and offer counseling to her classmates, teachers, and others affected by this incident. Recognizing the impact of this tragedy on the school community, ILRAJ urged the Ministry of Education to enforce stricter vetting processes and background checks for all school staff to safeguard children in educational environments.
While Sierra Leone’s laws impose stringent penalties for sexual crimes, ILRAJ noted that further investment in prevention and child protection is essential. Recommendations included child protection education, mandatory training for educators, and background checks for all teaching staff.
This tragedy has renewed calls for stronger efforts to curb sexual violence against children.