The Legal Aid Board and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The ceremony took place in the conference room of the Ministry at Cockle Bay in the west-end of Freetown on 30 June 2020.
The MOU establishes guidelines and commitments for collaboration in the operation of the One Stop Centers to be set up in five Districts in the country in July 2020. The Center will provide medical, psychosocial support and legal assistance to victims of rape and sexual penetration in one location.
The MOU provides amongst other things the deployment of at least one Legal Aid Board paralegal in each of the One-Stop Centres to assist the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police in investigating of sexual offences including the gathering of relevant evidence. The Consultant on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Ms. Battu Jambawai emphasized this will ensure sexual offences are not thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. ‘The Paralegals will ensure the investigations are thorough to make likely to secure a conviction.’
She underlined that the One-Stop Centre is a project borne out of the Minister’s desire to strengthen government’s response to rape and sexual violence in the country. The initiative she added is to establish 18 One Stop Centres nationwide to deal with sexual offences particularly rape and sexual penetration in order to ensure these matters are not thrown out of courts for lack of evidence.
The Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles noted that the Board has been providing legal representation to hundreds of suspects and accused persons charged with sexual offences. She stated that with the signing of the MOU, alleged perpetrators of sexual offences will no longer be represented by the Board.
She said that as of 1 July 2020, the Board will become a friend of the court through Amicus Curiae. He noted that the Legal Aid Counsels will hold the balance by ensuring the case of both parties is properly presented in court. She admonished the general public especially clients of the Board not to misconstrue the partnership, saying it does not in any way mean the Board is no longer providing legal representation to indigents on other matters.
In a short statement, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Manty Tarawallie said sexual offences are serious matter which require every hand on deck. She said she was happy that that the Board has consented to join in the fight, adding that it’s a long fight and hurdles are plenty.
Earlier, the chairperson of the occasion who also doubles as the Permanent Secretary of MoGCA, Mrs. Zainab Buya Kamara said the ceremony marks the beginning of the end to the current prevalent rate of sexual violence in the country. She thanked the Board for honoring the call to partner with Ministry in the campaign against SBBV.
By Sallieu Kanu
6/7/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7859